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HISTORY 



§u funbreb anb ^lirtij-iJigyi) |egmtmt 



PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



BY 

OSCEOLA LEWIS. 



I NORRISTO 



WNr?"^ 



AVILLS, IREDELL & JENKINS. 

7> - . 



\"'t)€*l'^ 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1SG6, by 

OSCEOLA LEWIS, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of tlio United States for the 

Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 



3*2- <^.2. 



7 



12 Jan mi 







DEDICATED, 
WITH RESPECT AND VENERATION, TO THE SACRED MEMORY OF 

^^ODnr Nobk JBmlr," 

WHO, AS VOLUNTEERS IN THE CAUSE OF THEIR COUNTRY'S 
SALVATION, AND OF LIBERTY TO ALL MEN, 

CHEERFULLY YIELDED UP ALL WORLDLY PLEASURES, 

AND LIFE ITSELF, 

A WILLING SACRIFICE^ 



CONTENTS 



PAGE 

Chapter I.— Organization, Officers, Material, &c 9 

Chapter II.— The First Movement, Incidents, Promotions, Dis- 
cipline, The Baltimore & Ohio R. R., Antietam, &c !•'> 

Chapter III.—Miscellaneons Items, the Invasion of G3. ...... . 21 

Chapter IV .-Battle of Wapping Heights, Warrenton, the Re- 
treat from Culpeper, &c ' • 

Chapter V.— The Advance to the Rappahannock, Battle of 

4.0 
Brandy Station 

Chapter VI.— The Mine Run Campaign 48 

Chapter VII.— A Peep into Winter Quarters, Promotions, &c . . GO 
Chapter VIII.-Col. McCleunan, Re-equipment, Re-organiza- 
tion, Preparations for a new Campaign '1 

Chapter IX.— Operations against Richmond— Battles of the Wil- 
derness 

Chapter X.— Spottsylvania 

Chapter Xl.-Cold Harbor and Across the James 103 

110 

Chapter XII.— Monocacy 

Chapter XIII.— The Shenandoah Valley 122 

Chapter XlV.-Petersburg. and the Close of the War WO 

Chapter XV.— Names and Alterations 1^3 

Chapter XVI.— Memoranda and Statistics 186 

Chapter XVII.— Conclusion ' ' 



IJSTTRODUCTION. 



Header :— 

The writer of this record of oue of the finest volunteer organizations repre- 
senting the " Keystone State" in the war for the suppression of the recent 
great Rebellion, is conscious that he has assumed a task proportionately too 
great for his ability; but with an earnest desire to perpetuate, at least in the 
minds of their families, friends, and posterity, the names and services of a gal- 
lant band of men who aided in the defence of their country from the murderous 
attacks of domestic traitors, it is presented to the public. 

It has been his endeavor to embrace in this history the organization, existence 
and dissolution, movements and campaigns, actions and casualties, promotions 
and alterations of the Regiment, with a complete list of its members ; to be 
accurate and truthful: to avoid bombast and individual eulogies: to award 
credit impartially, and do justice to all. 

Those who have belonged to and served with the Regiment will doul.tle.ss 
discover many errors and deficiencies; and the disinterested reader will fiiul 
ample room for criticism. But the leniency of all is entreated ; and, at the 
saniJU time, the assurance is extended that the undersigned makes no professions 
nor elainis to literary capacity, and that, in compiling this work, Ije had to de- 
pend to a great extent upon memory to supply the matter which fills these 
pages. The writer trusts that his good intentions will atone for all faults am! 
inaccuracies, and that the result of his labors will prove acceptable. 

OSCEOLA LEWIS, 

Laic Id LuiUenanf, Co. I, l^Sth Penna, Vols. 
JVoRRTSTow.N. Pa.; T)ec. :n, }HC.r>. 



HISTORY 



OF THE 



#ne funked anir Cljirffi-^l^igft |Ugi 1. 1 



CHAPTER I. 

ITS ORGANIZATION, OFFICERS, MATERIAL, &C. 

Among the first to respond to the call for 
volunteers made by President Lincoln in July, 
1862, and the very first three years organization 
to leave the Keystone State under that requisi- 
tion, was the 138th Regiment Pennsylvania Vol- 
unteer Infantry. 

It was not recruited as a regiment, like many 
were at that time, but hastily organized by a con- 
solidation of independent companies from differ- 
ent portions of the State. The first Company (A) 
was enrolled by Captain M. R. MoCleuuau, of 
Korristown, and composed of men from that ob- 



10 



rough, Conshohocken, Barren Hill, and other 
towns and villages in Montgomery county. It 
was designed at first to serve in a nine months 
regiment, but not being recruited to full strength 
by the time limited for that purpose by the Gov- 
ernor, the ofiicers resolved to change the period 
of enlistment to three years. After so doing, 
their company soon increased to the required 
number, and left ITorristown August 16th, 1862, 
when it repaired to the State rendezvous at Har- 
risburg. 

Company ''B" was enlisted by Captain John 
F. McCreary, of Adams county, principally at 
Gettysburg and its immediate vicinity. 

Company ''C," organized by Captain George 
W. Guss, consisted of men residing in E'orristown, 
Bridgeport, and the surrounding country, and ar- 
rived at the rendezvous August 16, 1862. 

Company "D" was raised by Captain John S. 
Stuckey, of Bedford county, at Bedford, Schells- 
burg, and other places in that county. 

Company ''E," commanded by Captain Simon 
Dickerhoof, hailed also from Bedford county, and 
chiefly from the county seat. 

Company 'T," Captain Lewis A. May, came 
from Cumberland Yalley, Bedford Springs, and 
other portions of the same county. 



11 



Company " G," composed of Adams county 
boys, was enrolled by Captain James H. "Walter, 
at Bendersville, Heidlersbnrg, and other country 
towns. ^ 

Company ''H" was organized by Captain Laz- 
arus C. Andress, in Bucks county, and contained 
men from Doylestown, Yardleyville, and vicinity. 

Company ^' I" was formed by Captain Augustus 
Gr. Feather, of detachments from Norristown, Port 
Kennedy and Hatboro', Montgomery county, and 
a squad from Sellersville, Bucks county. 

Company *'K" came into organization last, and 
under the command of Captain Eichard T. Stew- 
art, of ITorristown. It contained a few men from 
that borough, but was principally recruited from 
the country, in Montgomery county. Philadel- 
phia and Bucks counties had also a few represen- 
tatives in it. 

After their arrival at Harrisburg, the several 
companies were inspected and mustered in as 
speedily as possible, and by the 26th of August 
it had been completed, with the exception of a few 
detachments. The ten companies, heretofore de- 
scribed, were then thrown together under the di- 
rection of the commanding officer of Camp Cur- 
tin, and designated the •' 138th Infantry." 

The organization of the regiment being com- 



12 



pleted, it became necessary for it to have a re- 
sponsible head, and soon the company officers 
were bustling about in search of a commander. 
Unlike most regiments, iWiad no embryotic Colo- 
nel whose "eagles" were fluttering in prospect 
before the muster-in rolls were filled; and the 
company commanders evidently being very mod- 
est and unambitious, not one of them showed 
a6j)iration to a higher position at that time. 

However, the Adams county officers, being es- 
pecially energetic, managed to secure a candidate, 
and presented him with many recommendations 
to their "brothers in shoulder-straps." 

The first and chief reason given why he should 
be well qualified for the command of a regiment 
was that he was a "Minister of the Gospel" and 
a man of fine attainments. 

Then, also, he had experience in military mat- 
ters, or, in other words, he drilled a volunteer com- 
pany ^in the " Zouave Manual," and to, do that he 
must be "posted in tactics." 

His intellectual ability was great, his personal 
appearance imposing, and the officers of the new- 
ly formed 138th thought him to be "just the man." 
They recommended him to his Excellency the 
Governor ; a commission was granted, and Charles 



L. K. Snmwalt, of Baltimore, became -Colonel 
commanding the Regiment." 

At tlie original regimental organization the 
following officers were in commission : — 

Colonel Charles L. K. Sumwalt. 

1st Lient. and Qr. Mas. Edward B. Moore. 

(The Field and Staff had not been properly fill- 
ed by appointments to all the grades.) 

Company A. — Capt, M. E. McCiennan, 1st Lient, 
Charles Y. Fisher, 2d Lient. Samnel J. Targer. 

Cmpany -B.— J?apt. John F. McCreary, l3t 
Lieut. Jacob ^. Cress, 2d Lt. Geo. A. Earnshaw. 

Cojupaivj C. — Capt. George V. Gnss, 1st Lient 
^Villiam Xeiman, 2d Lient. John A. TTills. 

(Jotnp.Viij D. — Capt. John S. Stnckey, 1st Lient. 
Josiah Banghman, 2d Lieut. John A. Gnmp. 

Company E. — Capt. Simon Dickerhoof, Ist 
Lieut. John Getty. 2d Lient. Thos. A. Prideaux. 

Company F. — Capt. Lewis A. May, 1st Lieut. 
John V. Feight, 2d Lient. (vacant.) 

Compaj}y G. — Capt. James H. Valter. Ist Lieut, 
George W. Wilson, 2d Lient. George W. Mullen. 

Csmpany *&— Capt. L. C. Andress, 1st Lieut. 
William B. Lovett, 2d Lient. John Sigofoos. 

Company I. — Capt. Augustus G. Feather, Is: 
Lient, Jonathan T. Borer. 2d Lieut. Jno. H. Fisher. 

Company iT.— -Cjipt. Bichorvi T. Stewart, lit 



14 



Lt. Amos .W. Bertolet, 2cl Lt. Jonathan P. Iredell. 

The material composing the rank and file ot 
the regiment was excellent. In point of intelli- 
gence and general good deportment the men could 
not be surpassed by those of any other organiza- 
tion in the army. They came, as a class, from the 
most respectable of families, and in their enlist- 
ment were not actuated either by the novelty of 
military life, or by any desire for gain, but entered 
the service of their country from motives of pure 
patriotism, feeling that the national Government 
demanded their active support, and realizing the 
importance of strengthening the Union armies 
promptly and efie ctively. 

It is well known that during the first year of the 
rebellion the people did not know whatira?' really 
was. It required time to develop the magnitude 
of the contest, and to expose the countless dan- 
gers and severe sacrifices, which are the inevitable 
consequences of civil strife, to the public eye. 

With these lessons before them, the men of the 
138th Eegiment went forth to the field of action 
upon the sole conviction that duty called them ; 
and at a period when the iron strength and pa- 
triotism of the country was called forth without 
pecuniary or other inducements. 

While at Harrisburg the troops Avere confined 



15 



in Camp Curtin, which was in a dusty, filthy and 
very loathsome condition. * 

On the 30th of August, 1862, arms, equipage 
and clothing were issued, and the regiment was 
ordered- to prepare to move to the front. 



CHAPTER II. 

THE FIRST MOVEMENT, PROMOTIONS, DISCIPLINE, 
THE B. & 0. R. R., ANTIETAM, AC. 

Transportation being furnished on the 80th Au- 
gust, the regiment proceeded southward via the 
IN'orthern Central Railroad. Many and conflict- 
ing rumors were current respecting its destina- 
tion, but it seemed to be generally believed that 
Fortress Monroe was the objective point of the 
^ first movement. Others thought that we were 
en route to join McClellan's army, or to ** guard 
around Washington," and so on. 

The fact of the matter was that no one knew, 
not even the commanding officer, until we arrived 
at Baltimore city, and were ordered by Major 
General Wool, commanding the " Middle Depart- 
ment, 8th Army Corps," to encamp at the station 
on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, known as 



16 



*' "Washington Junction" or "Relay House," wHcli 
is nine miles from BMtimore and thirty-one from 
Washington. 

This very unexpected command was complied 
with on the Slst, and the regiment was soon 
after comfortably situated in "A" or "wedge" 
tents, in a pleasant location about half a mile 
from the railroad station. 

The usual exercises and other duties of the 
camp, drills, police, fatigue, &c., were at once put 
into practice, with a view to preserve health and 
promote the efficiency of the regiment. 

A chain-guard was placed around the entire 
camp, and details of men were daily instructed 
to perform duty as sentinels. 

The following promotions and appointments 
occurred shortly after the arrival at Relay House, 
by which all existing vacancies were then filled :, 

Capt. M. R. McClennan, Co. A, to Lt. Colonel. 

Capt. Lewis A. May, Co. F, to Major. 

Dr. Charles E. Cady, of Philadelphia, to Asst. 
Surgeon, Sept. 7, 1862. 

Dr. Thos. C. Thornton, of Lewisburg, to Asst. 
Surgeon. 

Rev. J. F. Porter, of Adams co., to Chaplain. 

1st Lieut. Jacob W. Cress, Co. B, to Adjutant. 

1st Lieut. Charles Y. Fisher, Co. A, to Captain. 



17 



2d Lieut. Saml. J. Yarger, Co. A, to 1st Lieut. 

1st Sergt. Jolin E. Essick, Co. A, to 2d Lieut. 

2d Lieut. Geo. A. Earnshaw, Co. B, to 1st Lieut. 

1st Sergt. Harvey W. McKnight, Co. B, to 2d 
Lieut. 

The non-commissioned Staff was also organized 
by most excellent selections from several compa- 
nies, as follows : — 

Corporal Henry C. Grossman, Co. B, to Ser- 
geant Major. 

Sergeant James W. Kennedy, Co. I, to Quarter 
Master Sergeant. 

Private David L. McKenzie, Co. B, to Com- 
missary Sergeant. 

Private James G. Wells, Co. K, to Hospital 
Steward. 

All vacancies now being supplied with occu- 
pants, the regiment daily became more efficient; 
the machinery of complete organization was start- 
ed, and afterward continued with satisfaction to 
commanding officers and all parties generally in- 
terested. 

The discipline of the regiment was of the first 
order. Although allowed many privileges and 
exposed to numerous temptations, the men were 
remarkable for general good behavior. ^ 

ISTo complaints for marauding or other abuse of 



18 



private property were ever entered against them 
by the citizens of the surrounding country, nor 
for neglect of duty — by the raih'oad company or 
Government authorities. 

Grave offences of any character rarely occurred, 
and very few punishments were inflicted. After 
the regiment had left' the Relay House, the B. & 
O. R. R. Company, and the citizens of that vicin- 
ity, petitioned to the War Department to have it 
returned, to perform garrison duty, for reasons 
above given. 

The drilling of the regiment was principally 
conducted by Lieut. Colonel McClennan, whose 
successful efforts soon rendered the military ap- 
pearance of the command, under arms, very cred- 
itable. In order that all the companies might 
participate and become proficient in the '* school 
of the battalion," those stationed at distant points 
were occasionally ordered to the camp at Relay 
House, while those previously in camp would be 
sent out as detachments to replace them. 

The protection of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail 
Road being our principal duty, it was decided to 
place detached garrisons at suitable points along 
its route ; and in obedience to orders from Depart- 
ment Head Quarters, four companies were detailed 
for that purpose. Company A was stationed at 



Id 



Jessop's Cut, or Hooversville, Company C at Dor- 
sey's Switch, Company E at Hanover SwitcTi, and 
Company D at Elk Eidge Landing, — all stations 
on the Washington branch. The railroad was 
constantly guarded and patrolled, in order to pre- 
vent mischief by secession sympathizers, or any 
interruption of travel, which might serve to em- 
barrass the Government in its efforts to suppress 
the rebellion. 

The stone railroad bridge known as the " Wash- 
ington Viaduct," spans the Patapsco Eiver at 
Relay House, and is a most valuable, handsome, 
and substantial structure. "Fort Dix," a small 
earth-work, mounting six or seven guns, com- 
mands all the approaches to it, and Company G 
was the first garrison detailed from the regiment 
to occupy it. Company B was sent to guard Elli- 
cott's Mills, and a detachment of Company I to 
Elysville, both manufacturing places on the main 
stem of the railroad. After the disposition of 
troops above described had taken place, four 
companies remained at Relay House, viz, F, H, 
I and K. 

The relative positions of the several companies 
were, however, periodically changed, to enable all 
to have equal participation in regimental drills, 
as heretofore stated. 



20 



At the time of the battle of Antietam the 
Relay House was the scene of great activity, con- 
sidering the strength of the force there stationed, 
which at that time consisted of the 118th New 
York Yol. Infantry, the 138th Pa. Yols. and Bat- 
tery B, 5th ]^ew York Light Artillery. 

The advance of the rebels having penetrated 
the State, the Marylanders began to be alarmed, 
the rolling stock of the railroad began to roll 
eastward, and the Post Commander proceeded to 
make preparations for the emergencies of war. 
The armament of Battery B, as well as that of 
Fort Dix, was placed in warlike position ; pickets 
were posted on all the roads approaching Balti- 
more, and everybody was on the qui vive. 

The 17th day of September, 1862, witnessed 
the great battle of Antietam : the invading foe 
was repelled and forced to retreat across the Poto- 
mac, and the loyal States were saved from his 
depredations by the gallant soldiers of the Army 
of the Potomac. 

The emergency having passed, the military 
situation at Relay House again relaxed into quiet- 
ness, and the troops, except the 138th Regiment, 
were soon after ordered to other points for service. 



CHAPTER ni. 

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS — THE INVASION OF '63. 

The strengtli of the regiment, p,t the date of 
the first monthly report made in September, 1862, 
was as follows : — 

For duty, - 36 officers and 772 enlisted men. 
On extra duty, - - 3 " " 

Present, sick, . - . 43 " " . 

Absent, " - - 2 " " 

Total, - 36 officers and 820 " " 

Aggregate, - 856 

The Medical Department, during the first few 
months' service, was ably conducted by Doctor 
Charles E. Cady, of Philadelphia, assisted by Dr. 
Thomas C. Thornton, of Lewisburg. 

The extensive prevalence of camp fever at that 
season kept the officers and attaches of the De- 
partment almost constantly employed ; and great 
credit is due them for their care and vigilance, 
and for the amplitude and completeness of .the 
Hospital arrangements. 

In lifovember, 1862, Dr. Curtis P. Herrington, 

21 



22 



of Ashland, Pa., was promoted from Aast. Sur- 
geon, 48tli P. y., to Surgeon, and assigned with 
that rank to the 188th P. V. He was very suc- 
cessful in his treatment, and became a very popu- 
lar officer. 

The neces^ry supplies of food and clothing 
were furnished bj Lieut. Edward B. Moore, who 
performed the double duties of Post Commissary 
of Subsistence and Regimental Quarter Master. 
His superior energy and ability enabled him to 
overcome the difficulties of his position and to do 
justice to his regiment. 

Colonel Charles L. K. Sumwalt's military ca- 
reer was destined to be inglorious. He proved 
to be a wolf arrayed in sheep's clothing. At first 
he announced his intention to observe the strict- 
est discipline, and establish for his command a 
good moral reputation. He was a very talented 
man, and having had some experience as a 
Minister of the Gospel, would occasionally preach, 
in the absence of the Chaplain, and he was always 
attentively listened to by an admiring audience. 

But his habits of pretended righteousness were- 
short lived. He removed his Head Quarters to 
the hotel at Relay House, and from that time for- 
ward "rode a high horse." He became addict- 



23 



ed to drunkenness, and lost to all sense of shame, 
honor or manly dignity. 

His course of deportment became so disgraceful 
that charges were preferred against him — the Col- 
onel was summoned as a criminal before a military 
court, found guilty of conduct unbecoming an 
officer and a gentleman, and prejudicial to good 
order and military disciplme, kc, and on the 30th 
of March, 1863, was "dismissed the military ser- 
vice of the United States." 

The following additional promotions of offi- 
cers occurred, which have not been previously 
given : — 

Lieut. Col. M. R. McClennan to Colonel, May 
2, 1863, vice Sumwalt, dismissed. 

1st Sergt. J. C. Leivelsberger to 2d Lieut, Co. 
B, vice McKnight, resigned, Dec. 15, 1862. 

2d Lieut. John A. Gump to 1st Lieut. Co. D, 
vice Baughman, killed while attempting to arrest 
a deserter, in Bedford county. Pa. 

1st Sergt. Oliver Horton to 2d Lieut., vice 
Gump, promoted, l^ov. 13, 1862. 
' 1st Lieut. John W. Feight to Captain Co. F. 

1st Sergt. C^s. P. McLaughlin to 1st Lieut. 



24 



1st Sergt. Martin S. Bortz to 2d Lieut. — to fill 
vacancies, January 1st, 1863. 

2d Lieut. Jonathan P. Iredell to Ist Lieut. Co. 
K, vice Bertolet, resigned. 

1st Sergt. Abram H. Kline to 2d Lieut., vice 
Iredell, promoted, Jan. 23, 1863. 

Rev. James "W. C^rry, of Bedford Co., Pa., was 
elected and commissioned Chaplain, April 5, 1863, 
vice Porter, resigned. 

The service rendered the Government at Eelay 
House, Md., and vicinity, although not of a na- 
ture to involve much personal danger and hard- 
ship, like that of the field, was of vast importance. 
The most valuable of all the railroad arteries upon 
which the Union armies depended for supplies 
was successfully guarded at vital points. Desert- 
ers and stragglers from the Federal army, as well 
as secession aiders and rebel renegades, were ar- 
rested and committed to justice. 

The regiment, with detachments stationed as 
heretofore explained, remained here during the 
winter of 1862-3 and the subsequent spring, no 
events, except those of a very trivial character, 
occurring. 

In the month of June, 1863, the clouds of war 
were unusually dark. The battles of Fredericks- 



25 



burg and Chancellorsville liad been fought with- 
out any decisive advantages to the Union forces. 
In fact the result had been rather unfarorable to 
our arms, on both occasions. The two contend- 
ing armies had scarcely recovered from the shock 
of their last combat, when the rebel commander 
essayed to penetratethe loyal States, and his trai- 
torous columns were in motion northward on a 
tour of invasion. The I^orth was everywhere in 
active preparation for the worst. The principal 
cities were being fortified, and military forces or- 
ganized. More important than that, an army of 
loyal veterans, with brave hearts and determined 
spirits, was mar<!hing to the rescue. 

Such troops performing garrison duty as could 
be spared from their stations, were ordered to un- 
protected points, and on the 16th of June, the 
138th Regiment abandoned the Relay House and 
its associations for active service, and proceeded 
to Harper's Ferry, with other troops belonging to 
the Middle Department. 

Arriving there on the 17th, the regiment was 
assigned to Brig. Gen. Elliott's Brigade, and or- 
dered to Maryland Heights. The forces at this 
point consisted of the troops who had fought Lee's 
army for three days at Winchester, under General 
Milroy (but were overpowered and compelled to 



26 



retreat), and garrison regiments from sundry 
places in Marj^and and West Virginia. 

Maj. Gen. Wm. H. Frencli had chief command, 
with Gens. Kenlj, Morris and Elliott as Briga- 
diers. The Heights were stronglj fortified ; 
heavy and light artillery was posted in advanta- 
geous positions ; all trees within cannon range 
(hefore the entrenchments) were felled to the 
ground ; strong picket lines established, and every 
possible precaution taken to insure the enemy a 
warm reception, should he again try the strong- 
hold which he had once assaulted with success 
The troops 'remained on the alert, working con- 
stantly to increase the strength oi the position for 
two weeks, with rainy days disagreeably frequent 
The attack, which was so confidently expected by 
those in authority, did not occur, however. The 
rebel army avoided it. With the aid of a field 
glais the enemy's bivouac fires, and the move- 
ments of his wagon trains in the valley below, 
could be plainly discerned from the signal station 
on the Heights. 

On the lit of July, after some previous prepa- 
rations. Harper's Ferry was evacuated. All im- 
moveable property was ordered to be rendered 
useless. Cannon were dismounted, ammunition 
and commissary stores blown up and burned, 



27 



camp equipage, &c., destroyed. Some property — 
artillery, forage, stores, &c., — was loaded upon 
canal-boats, and sent to Washington via the Chesa- 
peake and Ohio Canal, escorted by Gen. Elliott's 
Brigade, which had been specially assigned to 
that duty. (With this exception, Gen. French's 
command marched to Frederick City.) 

Both property and troops were loaded upon the 
boats, and the journey of sixty miles was comple- 
ted, without encountering even guerrillas, on the 
4th. In the afternoon the Brigade went into 
camp at Teuallytown and remained until the &th, 
when it was ordered to Washington, and from 
there was transported by railroad to Frederick 
City, wliere it arrived on the night of the 7th. 
On the 8th the army of the Potomac was pass- 
ing through the town, following up the suc- 
cess achieved at Gettysburg. Their appearance 
afforded ample evidence of the severity of their 
campaign. They were jaded and worn, but with 
the inspiration of victory, and w^ith the hope of 
pushing the repelled invaders "to the wall," 
they moved cheerfully onward. The troops from 
Harper's Ferry were organized into a Division, 
and assigned to the 3d Army Corps, with Brig, 
Gen, Elliott as commander. Maj. Gen. French, 
by virtue of seniority, assumed command of the 



28 



Corps, in the absence of Maj. Gen. Sickles, wlio 
was severely wounded at Gettysburg. 'We tben 
became a part of the glorious Army of the Po- 
tomac, and shared in its operations from that 
time forward. The march was continued in 
Western Maryland to Williamsport, where we 
arrived on the 14th, to find that the bird of 
our pursuit had flown, that the rebels had success- 
fully crossed the Potomac, and were making 
traces rapidly homeward. A feeling of disap- 
pointment that the enemy escaped as an army 
was jiniversally prevalent. The marches and bat- 
tles that must follow in Virginia were apparent 
to the mind of every soldier, and the thought 
made the disappointment keener. 

The course of the army was now changed. 
On the 15th we marched to Sharpsburg, from 
thence to Antietam, beyond which we encamped 
but a short distance. Here we visited the memo- 
rable battle-fields where our sister regiments (the 
51st and 95th) had shown their devotion to their 
country, and earned unfading laurels. 

On the 16th the march was continued to 
near Sandy Hook, and on. the 17th, while other 
commands were crossing at different points, the 
3d Corps crossed the Potomac at Harper's Ferry. 

It was night, and after the passage of the river 



29 



had been eftected, the 138th made its first lodge- 
ment on Virginia soil, by moonlight. 

The Army of the Potomac continued to move 
southward just east of the Blue Ridge, while the 
enemy were moving in a parallel direction west 
of the mountains. A temporary halt was made 
by the 3d Corps at Upperville, on the 20th. 
The regiment, with others equally inexperienced 
in field service, had by this time become pretty 
well accustomed to fatigue, and the men endured 
the hard marching with the indifference of vet- 
erans. • On the afternoon of. July 22d the .138th 
was detailed for picket duty, and immediately 
afterward the Corps was unexpectedly ordered 
forward, certain rebel movements rendering it 
necessary. 



CHAPTER IV. 

BATTLE OP WAPPING HEIGHTS, WARRENTON, RETREAT 
FROM CULPEPPER, &0. 

The regiment was relieved from picket and re- 
sumed^ its place in the column, and on the night 
of the 22d July the troops halted at Piedmont 
Station, on the Manassas Gap railroad, having 



30 



marched but a short distance. At that place, bj 
direction of the General commanding the Corps, 
the field officers of the regiment (Col. McClen- 
nau and Major May) were placed in arrest for 
alleged neglect of duty while on picket, and the 
command devolved upon Capt. John F. McCreary, 
Company B, the ranking officer present. 
? On the 23d the 3d Army Corps was pushed 
forward toward Manassas Gap, near which it ar- 
rived on the afternoon of that day, to find a rebel 
force in occupation of a strong position on Whip- 
ping Heights. The 2d Division was ordered for- 
ward, and a spirited engagement ensued. The 
rebels were posted behind stone walls on a high 
eminence, and offered stubborn resistance, but 
were finally dislodged by a gallant charge of the 
Excelsior Brigade, with the aid of other co-op- 
erating commands. The 3d Division did not 
become engaged, although under fire a consider- 
able portion of the time, while lying in reserve. 

No casualties were incurred by the 138th Regi- 
ment, and very few happened in the Brigade. 

It was here that the men of the 138th first 
"smelled powder." The ominous screech of the 
destructive shell, the sharp whistle of the musket 
ball, the boom of cannon, the crash of musketry, 
and the shrieks of the wounded, were unfamiliar 



31 



Bounds ; and the sight of manceuvering troops in 
actual battle, and the dead and mangled strewn 
upon the field, was an unusual spectacle. Expres- 
sions of sympathy for the unfortunate, and admi- 
ration for the brave, would be occasionally heard 
from the ranks, and remarks such as, "Why don't 
they send us over there to help, I wonder?" — "I 
wish we could get a crack at 'em" — "The Colonel 
ought to have command now," &c., would break 
out promiscuously. 

The men were eager and impatient, but were 
not called upon to use the musket, so carefully 
loaded and capped, in anticipation of "the first 
battle." The enemy was driven, but night com- 
ing on the pursuit was abandoned, and the troops 
bivo*iaced on the Heights for the night. 

The morning of the 24th demonstrated the 
fact that the rebels had made good use of their 
powers of retrograde locomotion. 

Lee had evidently contemplated a passage of 
his army through Manassas Gap, but foiled by 
the timely arrival of our Corps he retired and 
pushed on down the valley, west of the Blue 
Ridge, to avoid the disagreeable proximity of 
Meade's army. 

The 3d Corps then countermarched to Pied- 
mont, and went into camp that p. m., shortly after 



32 



dark. The movement was rapid, the heat intense, 
the haversacks were empty, and a» a consequence 
the troops were tired and hungry. A hasty issue 
of rations was made, and before seeking rest we 
refreshed our appetites with "coffee and tack" in 
moderate but delicious proportions. On the 
25th the march was resumed, and on Sunday, 
July 26th the army encamped in the vicinity of 
Warrenton, a small town of large importance in 
Virginia estimation. On the 29th the field offi- 
cers arrested on the 22d were restored to duty 
upon the following application made at Wapping 
Heights, 23d ult. :-- 

Head Quarters 188th P. V., \ 
July 23, 1863. / 
Oolonel : — Having been notified by Colonel^. F. 
Smith, 126th 0. Y. I. Corps, Officer of the Day, 22d 
inst., that the Major Gen. Commanding the Corps, 
had ordered the arrest of the field officers of this 
Regiment for neglect of duty, and under the belief 
that the order was based upon misunderstanding, I 
respectfully submit the following explanation : On 
the 22d inst. my command was detailed for picket 
duty, and I had just succeeded in posting the outer 
picket, when I received a written order from Col. J. 
W. Keifer, commanding the Brigade to which my Regi- 
ment is attached, to hold my command in readiness 
to join the advancing column at a moment's notice. 
I directed the several companies to prepare for the 
movement, but not to quit their posts. 



33 



The 126th 0. V. I., having just been relieved by 
me, the men of that regiment were scattered along 
the road unequipped and in careless order, awaiting 
the arrival of their Brigade, which no doubt led the 
General to infer that they were men of my Regiment, 
and neglecting their duty as pickets. 

I have learned that he did make inquiry as to what 
regiment w^as on picket, and was informed by some 
of the unequipped men, '^ the 138th, Pa." 

Considering that a battle is imminent, and that the 
Regiment is w^ithout field officers, I respectfully ask 
that Major May and myself be restored to duty. 
Your obedient servant, 

M. R. McCLENNAN, Colonel. 

Lieut. Col. 0. H. Hart, A. A. G. 3d A. C. 

The paper was endorsed as follows : — 

Hd. Qrs. 2d Brig., 3d Div., 3d A. C, ) 
July 23, 1863. / 
Respectfully forwarded. I approve heartily and 
earnestly the within request. Col. McClennan has 
a large regiment of men, and they very much need 
his services to discipline and command them. For 
the short time that I have known him. Col. McClen- 
nan has been an earnest and devoted officer to his 
duties, as far as my own observation extended. 

J. WARREN KEIFER, Col. Comg. 

Hd. Qrs. 3d Hiv., 3d A. C, \ 
July 24, 1863. / 
Respectfully forwarded. I recommend that Col. 
McClennan and Major May be released, or their 
arrest suspended. 

W. L. ELLIOTT, Brig. Qen. U. S. V. 



34 



Head Quarters 3d A. C, \ 
July 29, 1863. j 
Respectfully returned. The officers in arrest will 
be released. 

By command of Maj. Gen. French. 

W. F. A. TORBERT, A. A. A. a. 

The 3d Corps remained at Warrenton until Au- 
gust 1st, when it marched to a place near the 
Rappahannock River, known as "Fanny Lee's 
farm," and there established a temporary summer 
camp. 

The 138tl^was afterwards located at Fox's Ford, 
on tlie above-mentioned river, where it performed 
outpost duty. Drills and other exercises were 
also practised. In this position we occupied a 
pleasant camp until September 15th, when the 
Corps was ordered to march to Culpepper C. II., 
where it arrived on the following day and en 
camped. 

The army rem^ained here in comparative quiet, 
no engagement ensuing — except slight skirmish- 
ing between the opposing pickets on the Rapidan 
— until the 10th of October, when the troops 
were ordered to be in readiness to move at short 
notice, and the trains to move to the rear at once. 
The enemy was making mysterious movements. 
The army of the Potomac had been depleted by 
the 11th and 12th Corps being sent to the South- 



35 



west, and General Lee, taking advantage of what 
he probably thought to.be our weakness, under- 
took to march around our right flank, get between 
U8 and the Capital, and thereby effect the destruc- 
tion of Meade's army. But our ever watchful 
General discovered the enemy's stealthy move- 
ments and, as the best possible measure to pre- 
vent his success, ordered the memorable retreat 
from Culpepper. On the 11th the several corps 
were moving northward, and about 9 p. m. that 
date our regiment was crossing the Rappahan- 
nock at Freeman's Ford. Only those who have 
experienced it know how disagreeable in the 
extreme is the fording of a river, especially in 
darkness. 

On this occasion a wagon train was hurrying 
through, and the passage of the troops thereby 
much embarrassed. The river was perhaps forty 
or fifty yards wide, and at the ford was about 
three feet deep. The bottom was rough and stony, 
and the place of egress, a narrow road cut in the 
bank, very steep and slippery with mud. The 
reader can imagine himself in the position of the 
soldier, equipped in heavy marching order, plunge 
into three feet of water on an October night, 
struggle through a Virginia river, liable to be 
tramped upon by awkward mules, or crushed by 



\ 



36 



heav}' army wagons, amid the voices of command- 
ing officers and boisterous soldiers, the curses of 
teamsters, and the snorting of animals, and upon 
reaching the opposite bank find his troubles only 
begun, the drippings of thousands having made 
it almost impassable. How mortifying to the 
feelings when, having successfully waded the 
river with musket and cartridge box kept dry, in 
the attempt to gain a dry footing he is precipita- 
ted in the mire, and perhaps sliding unwillingly 
toward the water. Then a more fortunate com- 
rade extends his ]iiusket and kindly, though 
roughly, delivers him from his uncomfortable sit- 
uation, and he hurries on to resume his place in 
the column. 

The troops are halted, arms stacked, and orders 
given to make themselves comfortable for the 
niorht. Comfortable ? Avith wet limbs and wet 
clothes, shoes half full of mud and sand, it would 
seem impossible to improve their condition in the 
dampness of night. But the sharp sound of a 
hundred industrious hatchets, and the buzzing of 
contented voices, indicate the soldier's enterprise 
and power of endurance. Soon innumerable 
camp fires spring into existence, and groups gath- 
er around them. After the coffee is cooked and 
the frugal supper swallowed, the scene presented 



37 



is of great interest. Each lire, with its surround- 
ings, is a picture worthy of an artist. Men are 
seen standing in a half nude condition, holding 
their wet garments to dry with the utmost patience. 
Some are ''lettin' 'cm dry" on their.persons, giv- 
ing each part an equal share of the heat by an 
occasional shifting of the body, and others, who 
lack the necessary energy and patience, are found 
prostrate upon the ground, near soynebody else's 
fire, rolled up in their blankets, dirty and wet, 
just as they came from the river. 

After the shoes and stockings are prepared for 
the next march, the gum blanket is dried and 
spread upon the ground for the reception of the 
tired owner. The voices around the fires, lately 
discussing the prospects of to-morrow, wondering 
''why they don't lay pontoons across such places," 
and what ''old Bobby Lee is trying to get at now," 
&c., die away into quietness, the tattoo is sounded, 
and the troops are soundly sleeping. 

The 12th of October came, but no movement 
of the 3d Corps took place, except a short march 
to a better camping place. That evening after 
t^nts had been pitched and preparations made 
for a stay over night, an order was received de- 
tailing the regiment as a guard to the trains of 
the Corps. Early on the morning of the 13th, 



m 



the trains moved out of "park'' and the regiment 
was divided, a portion heing assigned to the pro- 
tection of tlie ammunition train, and the remain- 
der to the ambukinces of the Corps. 

The enemy crossed the Rappahannock near 
Sulphur Springs on this day, and pursued a course 
parallel with that of ours. The 1st Division, 3d 
A. C, encountered a force of rebels at Auburn,- 
about 3 p. M., and there was a brisk skirmish 
within sight of the road upon which the trains 
were moving. The enemy was repulsed, but to 
insure the safety of the trains, which were in con- 
stant jeopardy on account of his nearness, the 
rate of speed was ordered to be quickened. 

The march was continued until midnight, when 
a halt was made at Greenwich, a small village 
about twenty-five miles from the point from which 
we had started in the morning, and men and ani- 
mals had rest. The trials of a forced march, es- 
pecially Avith a train of wagons, tax heavily on 
the system. The regular intervals of rest which 
occur upon an ordinary, well regulated move- 
ment, and the welcome coffee and cracker repast 
are 7ion est. The rate of travel is varied and gov- 
erned by the condition of the roads, but generally 
both man and beast are urged to their utmost ca- 
pacity. ISTo rest, worthy of the name, is obtained, 



39 



except when obstacles are encountered, such as 
impassable creeks, &c., and the soldier must keep 
^'jogging along" without intermission. 

When a day's march is extended into the dark- 
ness of night, it becomes very irksome. The 
soldier, already tired and hungry, now gets almost 
overcome with drowsiness, when he suddenly 
hears the question of a comrade, "How far is it 

to G ?" answered by, " miles." He 

then summons new energy and moves along with 
more spirit. Miles are passed over, but the camp- 
fires of the "advance" are not yet visible. 

The soldier trudges onward, becoming almost 
insensible to the reality of his position, and begins 
to feel more like a machine performhig its me- 
chanical duties, than a human being with all the 
impulses and endowments of nature. 

The character of the march to Greenwich, Oct. 
13th, 1863, and its effects upon those who parti- 
cipated in it, can be thus described. 

The command was aroused early on the 14th, 
and proceeded to Centreville, encamping on the 
heights near that place in the afternoon. 

The 2d Corps, which was bringing up the rear 
that day, collided with a column of the enemy's 
forces at Bristow Station and had quite a severe 
engagement, in which the rebels were worsted hf 



40 



the sagacity of Major (xeii. Warreu and the gal- 
lantry of his command. Centreville heights 
seemed to be the objective point of both armies. 
Gen. Lee saw and endeavored to gain the advan- 
tages of the position ; Gen. Meade realized the 
importance of preventing him from the same, 
and in doing so he was happily successful. The 
carefully laid plans of the eneni}^ being foiled, he 
again retired toward the Rappahannock, and his 
''on to AYashinofton movement" thus ended. 



CHAPTER V. 

THE ADVANCE TO THE RAPPAHANXOCK, BATTLE OF 
BRANDY STATION, &C. 

Gen. Lee's retreat was closely followed by a 
prompt advance of the Army of the Potomac, 
which commenced about the 19th of October. 
The 3d Corps reached Gainesville on the follow- 
ing day, and on the 21st moved to Catlett's Sta- 
tion. On the 23d the regiment was relieved from 
guard duty with the Corps trains and rejoined its 
proper Brigade, which was ordered to proceed to 
and occupy Bristow Station, on the Orange and 
Alexandria railroad. On Sundav, October 2oth, 



41 



the Brigade was relieved by troops of the 1st 
Army Corps, and returned to Catlett's Station. 

It Avas ordered to Bealton 'Station on the 28th, 
where it relieved the 3d Brigade of the same Di- 
vision, then acting as a support to the cavalry 
outposts of the army. The entire Corps soon 
after advanced to this point and remained in camp 
until the Orange & Alexandria railroad, destroyed 
by the enemy on his line of retreat; was repaired 
and put in complete order for the transportation 
of the supplies, &c., necessary for the efficiency 
of the army. 

The rebels had most effectually destroyed the 
railroad, and evidently thought to thereby retard 
our movements for months ; the rails were heated 
and twisted in all sorts of shapes, and every 
cross-tie was torn up and consumed by lire. But 
the ample resources of the Government overcame 
all these difficulties, and in a few days the entire 
breach of about thirty miles was reconstructed 
of new material. On the Tth of ^N'ovemher a 
general advance of the army was ordered and 
the camps near Bealton were evacuated. The 3d 
Corps marched to Kelly's Ford, on the Kappa- 
hannock, and effected a crossing, but not without 
meeting some resistance. Birney's (1st) Division 
drove the enemy from the ford, with slight loss. 



42 



and captured a number of prisoners, after which 
the remainder of the command crossed the river, 
and hivouaced for the night a short distance be- 
yond. On the same day the 6th Corps forced a 
passage of the river at Rappahannock Station, 
capturing a number of guns and a batch of 
prisoners. 

On the 8th the march was resumed toward 
Brandy Station. About two and half miles from 
that place, on the line of the Orange & Alexandria 
railroad, the advance encountered the rebels' rear 
guard in considerable force, principally cavalry 
with horse artillery. After a short halt, disposi- 
tion was made of the troops composing the 2d 
Brigade, 3d Division, 3d A. C, which held the 
van that morning, to advance upon and drive the 
enemy from a hill which he occupied with guns 
in position. 

The 138th Pa. and the 110th Ohio Regiments 
were advanced and deployed, the former to the 
left and the latter to the right of the railroad, 
facing south, and supported respectively by the 
122d Ohio and Gth Maryland Regiments. The 
skirmish line consisted of Berdan's famous Sharp- 
shooters, Company A, 138th P. V., commanded 
by Captain C. Y. Fisher, and a company of the 
110th Ohio Vols. The line and its supports were 



43 



ordered fonvard about 1 p. m., and the 138th 
Regiment soon came under the fire of the ene- 
my's artillery, which was very severe and seem- 
ingly very accurate. Shells whizzed over our 
heads and through our ranks, tore up the turf 
before and behind us; fragments of shrapnel 
hummed about our ears; and solid shot bounded 
over and around us. 

Early in the engagement a shell struck and 
exploded in the ranks near the centre of the regi- 
ment, and carried to the ground several files from 
the line of battle. Those seriously injured by it 
were Capt. L. C. Andress, Co. H, and his 1st 
Sergeant, Abraham G. Rapp. The missile burst 
as it struck the former, fearfully mangling his 
hip and thigh, and carrying off the left arm of the 
latter. 

The Captain's sword was shivered to atoms. A 
piece struck Sergt. Rapp on the left thigh, causing 
a painful bruise, and lodged in his pocket book, 
where it was discovered. The brave men above 
named were the first of our regiment to fall in 
battle — the first to be stricken down in the gallant 
performance of their duty. 

The line was pushed onward as rapidly as pos- 
sible, the hill was carried, and the rebels barely 
escaped w^ith their artillery. The eight days ra- 



44 



tions required (at that time) to be carried on the 
persons of the soldiers, prevented the rapid move- 
ment of troops which is so essential to the accom- 
plishment of important ends in engaging or pur- 
suing an enemy. This hindrance made the at- 
tempt to capture the rebel guns — which had been 
playing upon our brigade — a failure. 

The pursuit was continued to a short distance 
south of Brandy Station, where the rebels again 
took up position and shelled our advance ; but a 
cavalry force being sent on their flank, they soon 
evacuated and fled with the greatest possible 
haste. Meanwhile, the troops at the front were 
ordered to bivouac " until further orders," and 
the remainder of the army was coming forward. 
Tlie following is a correct copy of Col. McClen- 
nan's ofiicial report of the engagement at Brandy 
Station : — 

Head Quarters 138th Pj.. Vols., 1 
November 10, 1863. . / 

Lieut. : — In compliance with circular received this 
10th inst., I have the honor to make the following 
report : — 

On Saturday, 7th inst., at daylight, the regiment 
marched with this Brigade and Division, from camp 
four miles south of Warrenton Junction, to Kelley's 
Ford, Va. There we rested on an eminence overlook- 
ing the Kappaliannock river, while the 1st Division, 



45 



3(1 Corps, was eftecting a crossing. At dusk we 
crossed the river by pontoons, and bivouaced on the 
field of the day's engagement. 

At daylight Sunday morning, 8th inst., we marched 
to the Orange and Alexandria railroad, between the 
river and Brandy Station. Here the rebels were dis- 
covered in force, on an eminence about a mile and a 
hajf distant ; and while other regiments were being 
manoeuvred my regiment was ordered in line of 
battle, in a skirt of pines, on the left of the railroad. 
Soon an advance was ordered, and, with one Com- 
pany (A) deployed as skirmishers, the regiment ad- 
vanced steadily in line of battle, its right resting on 
or near the railroad, over a plain commanded by the 
enemy's artillery. Whilst the regiment was ascend- 
ing a little knoll, the enemy opened with shrapnel, 
shell and solid shot, and kept up a rapid and con- 
tinuous fire. My regiment never faltered, but ad- 
vanced with battle-line unbroken and almost perfect. 
The rebel battery was again brought to bear upon us, 
and the range I feared would encourage "grape and 
cannister;" so, with a view to shelter my men, and 
tor each the battery, if possible, I changed our move- 
ment by the "right flank," crossed the railroad and 
moved as rapidly as possible, under cover of a hill, to 
where the battery was planted ; but owing to the 
heavy knapsacks, &c., of the men, I was unable to 
move quickly enough to capture the guns of the enemy. 
We afterwards advanced and drove the enemy a short 
distance beyond Brandy Station, where w^e were 
again shelled, but with no serious eflfect. Here our 
active operations temporarily ended, and since we 
have been encamped in close proximity to the extent 



46 



of our advance on the 8th inst. The following casu- 
alties occurred in my command.: — 

WOUNDED. 

Capt. L. C. Audress, Co. H, mortally. 
Capt. Simon Dickerhoof, Co. E, slightly. 
1st Sergeant A. G. Rapp, Co. H, seriously. 
Private Charles Heaton, Co. H, slightly. ^ 

" Joseph Warford, Co. H, " 
" Marpold Davis, Co. C, " 
^' Wm. Fullerton, Co. C, " 
Total, 7. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obdt. svt., 

M. R. McCLENNAN, 

Col. Commanding. 
Lieut. Col. W. A. Hathaway, A. A. A. G. 2d 
Brigade, 3d Div., 3d A. C. 

An extract from the Brigade commander's re- 
port reads as follows, and furnishes evidence of 
the good behavior of the troops engaged : — 

Hd. Qrs. 2d Brig., 3d Div., 3d A. C, \ 
ISTovember 10, 1863. J 

Officers and men were prompt in obeying orders. 
The manner in which they performed the services re- 
quired of them fully warrants me in saying, that when 
more important and dangerous duties are assigned 
them, they will cheerfully and willingly perform them. 
Special commendation is due Col. M. li. JVIcClennan 
and his regiment for their splendid conduct on the 



47 



8th instant. The regiment was on that day en- 
gaged for the first time. Capt. L. C. Andress, who 
fell mortally wounded, was a brave and accomplished 
soldier. His loss is deeply regretted by all who 
knew him. 

J. warre:^^ keifer, 

Col. Comd'g Brigade. 

The enemy, prior to our advance on the 7th, 
apparently had little belief that an offensive 
movement would be inaugurated by our forces 
during that season, and had winter quarters in 
process of construction — which were hastily but 
no doubt reluctantly abandoned to Yankee occu- 
pation. The Army of the Potomac established 
camps in the vicinity of Brandy Station and Cul- 
pepper Court House, about the 10th of N'ovember, 
and it was thought the winter would be spent in 
that position ; but still another campaign was be- 
ing planned, another battle was to be fought, 
and another effort made to defeat the still defiant 
Army of ]^or£hern Virginia, before active opera- 
tions in the year 1863 were permanently termi- 
nated. 



CHAPTER YI. 

THE MINE RUN CAMPAIGN. 

The army remained near Brandy Station, in 
comparative quiet, until the 23d of ISTovember, 
when orders were issued requiring the troops to 
be in readiness for a general movement, to com- 
mence on the following day ; but it proved stormy 
and unfavorable, and the already bad roads of 
Virginia were rendered impassable. The order 
for the march was then temporarily revoked, but 
afterwards re-issued to take effect on the 26th. 
On the morning of the latter day, at dawn, the 
innumerable white tents which had marked our 
camping-places had disappeared, and columns of 
blue-clad soldiery were moving again to the front. 

The weather, as may be readily judged, was at 
this time quite wintry, and it was with no great 
degree of comfort that we trudged towards the 
Rapidan that November day, with a winter cam- 
paign before us, and with disagreeable recollec- 
tions of the cold nights we had passed, during the 
few previous weeks, at Brandy Station. A pon- 
toon bridge train had been seen, the day before, 

48 



49 



moving towards the river, and we well knew that 
a crossing was contemplated. It was also appa- 
rent to all that we must have ''rough times," 
whether the campaign should result in success or 
failure, and that we might as well " make the hest 
of it." 

The only consolation the soldier had under such 
circumstances, was to believe thatthe enemy would 
be speedily met and defeated — the rebellion sup- 
pressed before the coming Christmas — to imagine 
that tlie war would actuall}^ be ended by this, the 
last battle — and to build up in imagination sundry 
air-castles to adorn his future. And when the 
question of probable defeat loomed up before his 
hopeful vision, his secondary thought of comfort 
was that, in sharing the hardships and conse- 
quences of such a movement he had at least the 
proud consciousness of duty performed. 

It was rumored that Lee's army, then consist- 
ing of Swell's and Hill's Corps, was divided ; that 
it was designed by General Meade to prevent a 
junction being effected, and to defeat them in detail. 

We therefore had high hopes of success when 
we crossed the Eapidan that p. m. The 3d Corps 
passed the river at Jacob's Ford, two miles above 
Germania Mills, and moved forward toward some 



50 



point which was ordered to be reached yet that 
evening. 

The 2d Division, commanded by Brig. General 
Henry Prince, held the advance, followed by the 
3d Division, commanded by Brig. General Joseph 
B. Carr, which in turn was succeeded by the 1st 
Division, Major General Birney commanding. 
The movement continued through a dense woods, 
on a narrow country road, until after dark, when 
frequent and irregular halts began to occur, which 
foreshadowed that something was wrong. Staff 
officers and couriers began to pass to and from the 
rear, and finally the column was ordered to coun- 
termarch towards the river. 

It soon became generally circulated that the 
leading General had selected the wrong route, 
and hence the backward movement. The dis- 
tance retraced was about two miles in extent, and 
after the tedious march was completed we found 
ourselves in bivouac near the banks of the river. 

Early on the morning of Friday, November 
27th, the troops were preparing to resume the 
march. This portion of the country had not been 
previously visited by Union troops in any force, 
and the fences were numerous and in good repair; 
consequently there was an abundance of rails, 
which made excellent fires to cook our cofi:ee, and 



61 



drive the chilli and frost of tlio night from the 
system. 

When the hnglc sounded tlic advance, the col- 
nmn moved forward, but had proceeded but a few 
miles, when "Bing! Bang! Whang!" the intro- 
ductory sounds of an opening skirmish, broke 
upon the stilhiess of the morning with the forci- 
ble announcement that the enemy had been dis- 
covered. A running fight then occurred, in which 
the enemy's skirmishers were steadily driven for 
liours, by the gallant 2d Division. Shortly after 
noon the musketry became more severe, and Gren. 
Prince was hotly engaged. The wounded were 
being carried to the rear in large numbers, staff 
officers were hurrying to and fro, and troops were 
being moved up and massed ready for any arising 
emergency. The od Division arrived at the scene 
of conflict just as the rebels were making an as- 
sault on the 2d Division, and in time to prevent 
its success. Gen. Carr at once deployed his Divi- 
sion, in two lines of battle, extending to the left 
of Gen. Prince's command. The enemy con- 
tinued to extend his front, and to confront him it 
was necessary to move the supports of the first 
line still to the left, making practically but a 
sinscle line of battle of the entire 3d Division. 
During this series of manoeuvres the 138th Pa. 



52 



was assigned a position on the extreme left of CoL 
Keifer's Brigade, in an open field, and directly on 
the left flank of the Corps. Our formation into 
line of battle had been scarcely completed, when 
the rebels made a determined attack upon our 
Brigade front. The 6th Maryland Regiment, 
holding a position to the right and in advance of 
our regiment, manifested a temporary disposition 
to give way before the suddenness and force of 
the enemy ; and to their support Col. McClennan 
promptly moved his command. It was not, how- 
ever, needed, for after the first shock " the gaUant 
little Sixth" (as it was afterwards known by us) 
rallied, and, encouraged by its most excellent Col- 
onel, John W. Horn, bravely held its ground and 
repulsed the eneni}^, who, in largely superior 
numbers, was endeavoring to break our lines. 
Our regiment was then ordered to "lie down" 
and await the next rebel movement. In the mean- 
time Smith's (3d) Brigade was being manoeuvred 
with a view to strike the enemy's right flank, but 
this was without success, and it was compelled to 
retire. Thus encouraged the rebels again sallied 
forth, and this time in our immediate front. On 
they came in formidable gre}^ columns, waving 
their red battle-flags in traitorous defiance, and 
screeching and yelling like demons. " 



53 



"Get ready, men!" commanded Colonel Mc- 
Clennan, and the " click" of five hundred muskets 
gave notice that it v/as done. Then burst forth in 
thundering tones five hundred iron throats, and 
"buck and ball" were hurled against the advanc- 
ing enemy with telling effect. His lines wavered, 
hesitated and finally halted, but the storm of bat- 
tle did not abate. The opposing lines became 
wrapt in one dense sheet of musketry, and from 
left to right the terrible crash of arms resounded. 

The sound of cannon could be heard from the 
front of the 2d Division, the position being acces- 
sible to artillery in that one place only, on ac- 
count of the density of the woods in our rear. 
The noise of this battle was indeed terrific. Al- 
though but a single Corps of infantry was en- 
gaged on our side, every portion of it was in 
fierce conflict. 

In front of the regiment the destructive eftects 
of the fire of the "old smooth-bores" could be 
plainly discovered. Rebel riders dropped from 
their horses,, and red battle-flags frequently fell 
to the earth. The enemy was not in such an ex- 
posed position as we were, being somewhat pro- 
tected by fences, stacks of hay and old farm out- 
buildings. Their fire w^as severe. Minie balls in 
all their variety of sounds came in dangerous 



54 



profusion and nearness to our ranks. Their sharp 
"tsip" when swiftly passing, their curious hum 
when spent in force and whirling through the air, 
and their deadly sound when a skull or hreast is 
pierced, or a limh shattered, were well calculated 
to test the nerves and to excite every sensation 
of fear which may exist in a man's system. Our 
first hattle (Brandy Station) had given us the 
harsh experience of artillery fire, and in this we 
hecame full}' acquainted with a musketry conflict 
— with its bloody charges and repulses, the stag- 
o^erino: eftect of its vollevs, and the destructive- 
ness of its sharp-shooting. 

About 4 p. M. the rebels again made a forward 
demonstration and the fighting grew fiercer. Our 
left flank was somewhat unnecessarilj^ exposed to 
the enemy's fire, and a stafi' ofiicer brought di- 
rections to withdraw that portion of the line a 
short distance under cover of a ridge. 

While this was being done some thoughtless 
soldiers presumptuously repeated the command 
to "fall back I" which being taken up by others, 
the order for a retrograde movement spread to the 
entire line and other portions of the Brigade, oc- 
casioning considerable confusion. The noise of 
discharging fire-arms, &c., prevented the orders of 
the Colonel being heard, and the retreat had ex- 



55 



tended perhaps one hundred yards l)efore it was 
understood that it was unauthorized. The lines 
were then lialted and reformed, and the regiment 
quickly returned to its former position, and resumed 
firing. Shortly afterwards Col. McClennan, while 
moving frOni the left to the right of the regiment, 
giving directions and encouraging his men, fell, 
pierced by a Minie ball through the foot, and was 
taken from the field. Captain Chas. Y. Fisher 
received a dangerous wound, shattering his arm 
above the elbow, and was compelled to abandon 
the command of Company A, which he had so 
nobly exercised. Adjutant J. W. Cress was also 
disabled by a musket ball, and left the field. 
Brave men were being stricken down from the 
ranks of every company : some falling never to 
rise again ; others limping to the rear with crip- 
pled limbs dangling, and the most acute sufibring 
depicted upon their countenances ; others, more 
seriously maimed, were dragging themselves or 
being dragged from the battle-line ; while others 
again, too severely injured to be removed, were 
lying where 'they fell, bleeding, sufiering, and 
dying. The fall of Col. McClennan was a topic 
of much anxiety in the ranks, because of his gal- 
lant conduct, and the confidence reposed in him 
by the regiment. Major Lewis A. May, however, 



56 



promptly assumed command, aud with the aid of 
Capt. George W. Guss, Co. C, who was particu- 
larly zealous in the performance of his duties, 
preserved the order of the regiment. 

The battle still rasced. Men were firino' with 
desperate earnestness, standing, kneeling, and re- 
clining in every conceivable position ; some with 
hats off and faces begrimmed with powder ; some 
cool, some excited, some joking and laughing, 
and others yelling and swearing like madmen. 

On the right, Maj. General French, riding his 
famous sorrel near the single battery before al- 
luded to, was watching with anxiety the progress 
of the strife. With eyes snapping fiercely (for 
which he was peculiarly noted), he would occa- 
sionally ejaculate to the artillery officer ; " I^ow 
then, double shot 'em ! double shot 'em !" Re- 
peated charges were made by the enemy, and as 
often repulsed b}^ the energy and promtness with 
which they were met. 

At dark, on account of the exhaustion of ammu- 
nition, our regiment, with others, was withdrawn 
and replaced by troops belonging to Birney's Di- 
vision, which had not been so closely engaged. 
"While this was being done the rebels in our front 
brought forward a battery and shelled the woods 
through which we were passing, inflicting a num- 



67 



her of additional casualties, and giving ns an 
awful illustration of ''nis^lit warfare." Durine: 
the night the enemy retired to a line of fortifica- 
tions on Mine Run, and our forces were quickly 
assemhled preparatory ^o a new movement. Such 
was the character of the Battle of "Locust Grove," 
called hy the rehels ''Paine's Farm," which was 
fought in Orange County, Virginia, Kovemher 
27, 1863, and in which the 3d Army Corps, com- 
manded by Major General French, encountered 
and successfully held in check Ewell's rebel Corps, 
which was vastly superior in numbers, constitut- 
ing at the time one-half of Lee's army. The 
following casualties were incurred by the 138th, 
as shown by official records : — 



COxMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Wounded. — Col. M, R. McClennan, severely ; Capt. Cliarles 
Y. Fisher, Company A, severely ; Adjutant Jacob W. Cress, 
slightly. Total, 3. 

ENLISTED MEN— KILLED. 



Pvt. John F. Lookenbill, Co. B 
" Charles F. Ogdon, " 

" Philip Wentz, Co. D. 
" Geo. W. Robb, Co. F. 



Pvt. Jonas Eppleman, Co. 0. 
" Charles Slagle, " 

" John Barrel!. Co. II. 

Total, 7 



Pvt. Crary Stewart, Co. A. 
•' Geo. W. Evans, " 
" James W. Davis, " 
" James Noblit, *' 

" David R. Krieble, " 



Pvt. Adam Ilersh, Co. A. 
" Wm. A. Hennig, Co. B. 
" Robert Johnson, '* 
«' Levi Beck, <' 

" John T. Weikert, " 



58 



Pvt. Thomas 0. Fallon, Co. B. 

" Chas. Pennypaeker, Co. C. 
1st Sergt. S. C. Stuckey, Co. D, 
Pvt. John E. Lowery, 

*' Daniel Hellman, 

*' John Kennard, 

" John A. Hoshard, 

" Aaron Mock, 

«• Matt. P. Taylor, 

" Henry Speck, Co. E, 

" Daniel Burket, " 
Pvt. Daniel Correll, Co. E. 
Sergt. Jacob F. Whip, Co. F, 
Pvt. Jacob Smith, «' 

" Eliakim Walkey, Co. G. 

*' Hiram D. Little, " 



Pvt. Cornelius Crist, Co. 0. 
" Martin Fehl, «' 

" Benjamin F. Heller, '' 
" Amos Meals, " 

Sergt. Jos. Godshall, Co. H. 
" Geo. H. Reese, Co. I. 

Pvt. .Joseph Holt, 
" Benj. F. Roberts, " 
" Peter Reinbolt, «' 

" John Cook, '« 

'* Isaac Bennett, " 

Corp. Elias Lewis, Co. K. 

Pvt. James Burks, <' 
«* Franklin Rhoads, *' 
" Henry C. Moaer, " 
" J. B. Undercoffler ** 

Total, 42. 



Missing. — Privates John T. Dicken, Co. D. ; Samuel Ward, 
Co. E. ; Reuben F. Crouthamel, Co. L Total, 3. 

RECAPITULATION. 

Commissioned officers, wounded, - - - 3 

Enlisted men, tilled, 7 ^ 

<« '* wounded, - - - - 42 
«< " missing, ... - 8 

Total, 3 officers and 52 enlisted men. Aggregate, 55 

On the 28tli, amid a drenching rain, the army 
moYcd to Mine Eun, a short distance beyond 
Yellow Tavern, where the rebels were found 
strongly entrenched in an excellent commanding 
position. 

On the following day disposition of our forces 
was made, which presented the appearance of 
preparation for a grand assault. A council of war 
is said to have been held to discuss the subject; 



69 



and several prominent Generals opposed such a 
movement, one saying, "We can do it, but it will 
cost the Army of the Potomac 10,000 men." 

It was reported that a decision had been made 
to attack the rebel works, and very probably it 
was true, judging by orders received and move- 
ments made. This vital matter was wisely re- 
considered, and the project abandoned. General 
Meade then ordered a w^ithdrawal of the several 
Corps across the Kapidan, to commence on the 
1st of December, which course was prudent, hu- 
mane, creditable, and the best possible measure 
to be adopted, under the circumstances, to preserve 
the safety and efficiency of the army, as shown 
by the following statements : — 

1st. The enemy's strongly fortified position 
could only be approached by crossing the creek 
known as Mine Run, waist deep, and adjoining 
swamps, almost impenetrable, and moving over a 
rising plain commanded by artillery. An assault 
at this season, and in the face of these obstacles, 
would have resulted in a w^holesale loss of life, 
which we could illy afford to sustain, if not in a 
disastrous repulse and a compelled retreat. 

2d. It was winter, and the severity of the 
weather was scarcely endurable by the well, while 



BO 



the suffbring wounded at the field liOBpitaLs were 
perishing from cold and exposure. 

3d. The army was at least two days' march froiT 
its depot of supplies, the rations were nearly con- 
sumed, and the roads almost impassable to the 
trains. 

The river was recrossed on the night of the Is" 
by the troops, the pickets were withdrawn at •: 
A. M. on the 2d, and before the enemy knew tha 
the contemplated assault had given place to i 
'retreat, the entire army was north of the Rapi 
dan, and en route to Brandy Station. 

After a tedious march over an exceedingly bac 
route, on the 3d, the old encampments wer( 
re-occupied, and the Mine Eun Campaign, with 
out any result of a decisive character, was con 
eluded. 



CHAPTER YII. 

A PEEP INTO WINTER QUARTERS, PROMOTIONS, &G. 

It was now apparent that further military ope 
rations during the winter season were deeme( 
inexpedient. The army was ordered to construe 
comfortable quarters, and general provisions wer^ 
made for the welfare of the troops. 



61 



The 1st Corps and the cavahy were stationed 
at and near Culpepper Court House, the 2d, 3d 
and 6th in the vicinity of Brandy Station, and the 
5th was assigned to guard duty on the Orange & 
Alexandria railroad north of the Rappahannock. 

The huts erected and evacuated by the enemy 
(alluded to in a previous chapter), being appro- 
priated to use, were the means of much assistance 
in the construction of our log encampments, 
which, by the middle of December, were com- 
pleted and presented quite a comfortable appear- 
ance. The quarters were built in regular back- 
woodsman-cabin style. 

The chimneys were usually made of wood (al- 
though a few were built of brick and stone pro- 
cured from abandoned buildings) and, as well as 
the walls of the huts, were cemented with clay 
or common mud. The roofing generally consisted 
of ordinary shelter tents, but in some cases 
roughly split shingles w^ere used, which of course 
rendered windows necessary, while in houses with 
canvass coverings (which readily admit light) they 
could easily be dispensed with. The huts were 
built of all styles and sizes, in accordance with 
the varying taste of the troops and their com- 
manders. The capacity of some would admit of 
a dozen occupants, while others would contain 



62 



but two, or not more than four. Although laid 
out in uniformity, properly drained and policed, 
the camps had a rough, uncouth appearance, and 
to the eye of the citizen visitor they resembled 
extensive settlements of gipseys, or "men of the 
forest." 

With the readers' willingness we will enter 
some of these huts, to accomplish which it is only 
necessary to swing back a slab, suspended on 
leather hinges, or raise a gum blanket, hanging 
before a square aperture, which, in the absence of 
boards or other suitable material, at least excludes 
the light and serves the place of door. The char- 
acter of the domestic scene awaiting us within 
depends entirely upon the disposition of the in- 
mates. 

In some huts, a nicely swept ground floor, 
rough walls neatly pasted over wdth illustrated 
and other newspapers, snug bunks with knap- 
sacks and blankets carefully arranged thereon, 
meet the eye. 

Brightly polished muskets and accoutrements 
are seen "in rack" in an appropriate corner; can- 
teens, haversacks and cooking untensils, hanging 
in their particular places, grace the walls instead 
of pictures; and the occupants, if not on drill or 
other duty, \vill be seen in various positions, ^^or 



63 



instance, by a cheerful fire-place, a party is reading 
a Waverlei/y or perhaps an Inquirer or Baltimore 
American; another is writing home thoughts of in- 
terest to his lovecl ones — while the remaining one, 
or ones (if any), are preparing a "square meal," 
or, it may he, buried in the blissful thoughts of a 
soldier's meditation. Upon visiting another, the 
contrast presented will give surprise. There will 
be seen a blazing fire, but perchance the occu- 
pants differently employed. The table is sur- 
rounded and a game of cards in progress. It 
matters not whether it is " euchre," " all fours," 
or "whist." It is, maybe, not very interesting, 
the various remarks and expressions of the play- 
ers may not be pleasing, and we look about for 
something more attractive. The bunk has not 
been arranged since morning and probably yet 
contains a sleepy individual who "don't care 
whether school's kept or not." The wind whist- 
ling through crevices in the side wall, where the 
cement has dropped from between the logs, causes 
a shudder ; and a few disagreeable puffs of smoke 
from the chimney, caused by its not being suffi- 
ciently high, add materially to the discomforts 
of the place. 

After noticing the dirty condition of the floor, 
and seeing in gne corner a promiscuous heap of 



64 



haversacks, utensils and provisions, it occasions 
no regrets to aliandon the scene, and to withdraw 
to the enjoyment of the pure out-door air. 

A peep into some of the officers' quarters niaj 
be interesting. If we confine our observations to 
the camp of the 138th it will be sufficient, and 
we may as well commence on the right. 

The first one is found vacant, excepting the 
cook, who is busy (the Lieut, being out has pro- 
bably gone to Head Quarters to hear the ''latest 
chin") ; but we can see at a glance that officers 
have more room and conveniences than private 
soldiers. The furniture consists of a rudely con- 
structed table, a few camp stools, and a bed, under 

which is a box marked " Lieut. 138th 

P. Y." &c., and containing, no doubt, dainty and 
substantial provisions sent from home by kind 
hands. On a little shelf is seen a bottle of catsup, 
a box of matches and a few other trifling sundries ; 
and on the table, beside a few tin cups and plates, 
is a box of smoking tobacco, also, an oyster can, 
which has evidently' been but recently emptied. 
A sword and revolver hans; on the wall. But let 
us call next door. AYe find this a curiously con- 
structed cabin, apparently' composed of several 
joined together, and in it we find a number of 
both officers aud enlisted men " messing" together, 



65 



They are roadiiiii; religious papers, writing, 
cliatting and eating large x>oitnd apples, such as 
Bedford county boasts of. In the next, we find, 
under a shingle roof, three jolly fellows wearing 
the insignia of officers, and with them a number 
of men are engaged in conversation with evident 
interest. We will not disturb them, but a glance 
at the county newspapers on the table, one a Ga- 
zette and another an Inquirer^ informs us that they 
hail from Bedford also. ISTow we arrive at a hut 
Avith a shed roof, and after clambering through a 
very narrow and limited passage, we find our- 
selves in, it must be, the wrong place, for we can 
only see the appurtenances of a cook-house, a 
frying-pan, a kettle, a coftee pot, some tin cans, 
one or two good sized boxes marked " By Adams 
Express," &c. We arc informed by an individual 
wdio seems to have charge of the establishment, 
and whose looks, manners and speech are those 
of a Dutchman, that he is the ^'boo-gler" and 
that the "officeres"are to be found next door. 
We proceed to the place indicated, and, after 
stooping very low and entering, w^e find ourselves 
in a very respectable ranche and greeted by a cour- 
teous young gentleman wearing the bar of a 1st 
Lieutenant. Surveying the room, it is evident that 
it has been arranared with uncommon care. The 



66 



walls are nicely papered, aud the floor is cleiui and 
tidy; on a comfortable looking couch a young 
man (probably a 2d Lieut., as the "straps" on 
the coat hanging by his bed-side would indicate,) 
is reclining, and asleep, too. Against one of the 
end walls are suspended two crossed swords and 
two revolvers, with two red silken sashes grace- 
fully twined around them. Directly opposite is a 
pine wreath encircling the picture of some dis- 
tinguished soldier. 

Pictures, clipped from Harper's Weekly and 
Frank Leslies, of great ships, famous oflicers 
of the army and navy, sanguinary battles, pic- 
turesque home scenes, &c., adorn the side walls 
profusely. 

On the desk are some letters, some of the 
Lieutenant's manuscript broken off suddenly by 
our entrance, a copy of Shakespeare, a photo- 
graphic album, a box of fine old " Lynchburg" 
and a meerchaum pipe. 

After a satisfactory inspection and a pleasant 
chat we retire and move on to the next quarters, 
which offer the appearance of having been con- 
structed with a gr«at deal of labor, and of being 
still unfinished to a certain extent ; but upon get- 
ting inside we find it quite nice and respectable ; 
the inmates are numerous and quite merry in the 



67 



indulgence of some innocent games. Nothing uii- 
nsiial is to ho seen here in the way of ornaments, 
except some empty bottles, labelled " Old Bour- 
bon," on the shelf; and there being no induce- 
ment in the fact of their emptiness, we will leave 
the gay Lieutenant and visit his neighbor on the 
left. The first object meeting our gaze in this 
cabin, excepting a group of persons, is a copy of 
the Doylestown Danocrat in the hands of a man 
called (by those present) "Frank," who is ex- 
ceedingly /ra?? A: in his way of talking and full of 
good Irish humor. Quite a spirited conversation 
is going on, in the course of which can be dis- 
tinguished the names, "Lieut," "Bricky," "Joe," 
" Canby" and others, and not wishing to become 
involved w^e excuse ourselves and tr}^ the next. 
We get in a snug little box, of dimensions about 

8 by 12, and find Captain toiling over 

a difiicult property return. Under the circum- 
stances we will not be justified in staying; so, af- 
ter a brief exchange of words — of greeting, infor- 
mation and advice — we retreat and knock at the 
side door of the next shanty. Here we find the 
Captain reading as usual, but upon our appear- 
ance he lays aside his paper — which happens to be 
the Norristown Herald — and entertains us with his 
usual courtesy. On inquiring after his Lieut, we 



68 



ledrn that lie is '' up about the Colonel's quarters." 
The features of this building we find to be like 
most others, and we will not repeat a description. 
A peep at the adjoining hut gives us a sight of 
three officers, two asleep and the remaining one, 
the Captain, working at a hack Ordnance account. 
We omit calling there, and pop unceremoniously 
into the "last in the row." Here the room is full 
and the inmates are uncommonly merry and good 
humored. One Lieut, is singing a Dutch song, 
another is playing checkers with a comrade, while 
the remainder of the crowd of ''non-coms" and 
privates are chatting, laughing, humming and 
whistling. The profuse presence of newspapers 
gives the impression that there must l)e a consid- 
eral^le number of literary gentlemen in this com- 
pany. Copies of Forney s ^Var Press, New York 
Ledgers, Getti/sburg Stars in any number, and other 
journals are "lying around loose." 

But we have seen enough here ; let us repair to 
Kegimental Head Quarters, to the Adjutant's 
office for instance. There he is, playing checkers 
with the Hospital Steward ; there, lounging on the 
])ed, are those Lieutenants who were not at home 
when we were visiting their quarters, and they 
are talking too, much to the annoyance of the 
Sergeant Major, who is very busily engaged in 



69 



milking up a ''Monthly" or something of that 
sort. This office is nicely papered, generally well 
arranged, and contains a comfortable camp-stove. 
In the commanding officers' tent we find Captain 
George W. Gues, who has charge of the regiment 
noAv, owing to the absence of Col. McClennan on 
account of wounds, and the detail of Major May 
as a member of a General Court Martial. He is 
sitting by the warm fire-place, and alono,. with 
the exception of a clerk who is engaged at the 
desk b}^ the window. The office is very tidy and 
contains three beds well supplied with blankets, 
two valises, and a few camp cluiirs. Two swords 
and belts hang against the wall, which, with a few 
newspaper pictures, are the only ornaments. ^N'ow, 
let us go and see the Quarter Master. Yes, hero 
he is, playing chess with a friend from another 
regiment, and laughing heartily when fortune fa- 
vors him. The Commissary Sergeant, Vvuth a copy 
of Blackstone before him, is watching the progress 
of the chess game. The Q. M. Sergeant and the 
clerk are making up returns of clothing, camp 
equipage, &c. A few visitors, called "bummers" 
l)y the Quarter Master, are at present occupying 
the beds and spare scats. We must also notice 
that this room is very neat in appearance, and has 
a large storm-fla.2,- stretched across one end, dis- 



70 



playing its beautiful folds to careless advantage. 

The reader lias now, perhaps, had sufficient in- 
sight into Winter-quarters. The out-door scenes 
are the manoeuvres of troops on drill, parade, &c., 
games of ball and other amusements, and the 
usual constant motion of mounted officers and or- 
derlies, and endless trains of army wagons con- 
veying supplies. 

These views are intended for the closing part 
of the year 1863, and will now be abandoned for 
other subjects. 

The only promotion to the rank of commis- 
sioned officer which occurred in the reiriment 
during 1863 — after its departure from the Relay 
House — was in the case of 1st Seri^eant Samuel 
W. Cloward, Co. "C," to 1st Lieutenant of that 
company, vice William Keiman, discharged for 
disability, August 22d, 1863. 

The strength of the regiment on the 31st of 
December, 1863, was 

Present, ... 21 com'd officers. 
" - _ . 579 enlisted men. 



Total, - 


- 


- 603 


Absent, 


- 


10 com'd officers, 


a 


- 


1'21 enlisted meu^ 



Total, - - 131 



71 



Present and Absent, 34 com'd olHcers. 

" " '' TOO enlisted men. 



Aggregate, 734 



CIIAPTEIi VIII. 

COL. m'clennan's return, re-equipment of the 

REGIMENT, RE-ORGANIZATION OF THE ARMY, PREPA- 
RATIONS FOR A NEW CAMPAIGN. 

March 13th, 1864, Colonel McClennan returned 
from his absence on account of wounds received 
'Nov, 2Tth, 1863, and soon after resumed com- 
mand. Upon his arrival in camp he was waited 
upon at his quarters and greeted by the entire 
regiment. He hobbled forth (for he was yet una- 
ble to walk unaided by cratches) and acknowl- 
edged this complimentary action of his comrades; 
expressed great pleasure in being allowed to re- 
turn to the charge of his "good old regiment," 
and thanked its members for their manifestations 
of welcome and respect. 

lie soon recovered entirely from his injuries, 
and became fully able to perform all field and 
camp duties rctj^uired of his position. 

Originally, the regiment was provided with an 



72 



inferior lot of old Austrian iiiu.^kets, which proved 
almost worthless, and were ordered to he replaced 
by arms of a more serviceable class. 

They were accordingly turned in and in their 
stead the U. 8. smooth-bore muskets, calibre 69, 
were issued at the Relay House, Md., during the 
fall of 1862. These arms were borne by the regi- 
ment until the spring of 1864, and although they 
were considered very efficient in some respects, 
yet it was deemed advisable to make application for 
and if possible to procure muskets of a still better 
description. Col. McClennan therefore forwarded 
a communication through the proper military 
channel, asking for an exchange of arms, for the 
rifled musket of the Springfield pattern, which 
was approved and his request granted. 

The new arms were issued March 18th, 1864, 
and the old ones were collected and turned in im- 
mediately after. The Springfields were mostly 
second-hand, but were furnished in good order 
and found to be much superior to the old " smooth- 
bores" for general use. The latter, although ca- 
pable of doing much damage at short range, and 
much good service in repelling the charge of an 
enemy, were objectionable on account of their 
utter inefficiency on the skirmish line. That fault 
is a serious one, for all reo^imeuts are liable to be 



73 



placed oil sucli duty, and, upon that line, every- 
thing connected with the safety and success of an 
army almost entirely depends. 

On the 24th of March an order was puhlished 
to the army consolidating the live Corps com- 
posing the Army of the Potomac into three, to 
he known as the 2d, 5th and 6th, and commanded 
respectively by Major Generals Hancock, Warren 
and Sedgwick. The 1st and 3d Corps wore dis- 
continued, the former being organized and as- 
signed as a Division to the 5th Corps ; and the 
1st and 2d Divisions of the latter transferred to 
the 2d Corps, while the 3d Division, 3d Corps, 
was transferred bodily to " Sedgwicks' old (3th," 
with the same number and without change of 
organization, excepting the consolidation of its 
three Brie-ades into two. This dissolution of old 
military connexions was not received at first by 
the army with universal satisfaction, ])ut it was 
really advantageous to the military service in 
many important respects. Soldiers were not sat- 
isfied that their old Corps and Divisions should 
•be broken up, and their numbers and badges of 
distinction, made honorable by arduous and fiiith- 
ful services, be discarded and forgotten ; and 
others again, with self-pride and prejudice, were 
not willing that troops from another command 



74 

should join theirs, and share their name, their 
glory, and their honor. 

Thus when we (the 3d Division) cast oiF the 
diamond-shaped badge of the 3d Army Corps, 
and adopted the "Blue Cross" of the 6th, we 
found manv veterans amons: our new comrades, 
who complained that we should assume that right 
and privilege. "What have the}/ ever done," or 
" where did the)/ ever see any service," they would 
sometimes ask, forgetting that the blood already 
spilled by the 8d Division, if not great in quan- 
tity, was very precious in qualitj^: not thinking, 
perhaps, that a glorious future awaited this very 
Division, and that the brightness of its record was 
destined to equal, if not eclipse, that of their 
own. It is singular, but nevertheless true, that 
soldiers are generally proud — even unto selfish- 
ness — of the particular command to which they 
belong. For instance, Infantry will disparage the 
services of Cavalry, to brighten the lustre of their 
ov/n, and vice versa Cavalry will treat Infantry in 
the 'same manner. A 6th Corps man believes his 
is the best Corps in the army ; a 2d Corps man 
thinks difio, excepting his own ; a 5th Corps re- 
presentative concludes that they are both pretty 
good Corps, " but they havn't seen what we have," 
and so on. 



75 



III taking farewell of the 3cl Corps Major Gen. 
French issued a farewell address in which he an- 
nounced that the order for the discontinuanca of 
his Corps was received by him with the " most 
profound regret." He said the enforcement of 
the order for the consolidation of the army would 
give it greater strength ; that the newly formed 
Corps would he commanded by able and experi- 
enced Generals; and that these^advantages would 
ensure success in future movements. 

He further said, "Being known only in the De- 
partment where bullets whistle, there is a strong 
probability that I may again be associated Avith 
the comrades with whom I have served so long 
with pride and distinction." Although the Gen- 
eral was rather gruff in his manner, both to his 
officers and men, on chance occasions he w\as very 
popular on account of being "always about" on 
the march, "always at the front" in time of bat- 
tle and never absent from his proper post of duty 
in field or camp. Hence it was that, upon oar 
separation with "Old Blinkey" (as he was fa- 
miliarly known throughout the Corps), we were 
enabled to reciprocate the "most profound regret" 
he felt upon the occasion. 

After this re-organization Brigadier General 
Henry Prince w^as assigned to the command of 



76 



tliu 3d Division, 6th A. C, and the 1st iind 2d 
Brigades composing it were severally commanded 
by Brigadier Generals W. W. Morris and David 
Russell. 

The latter retained charge of the Brigade but a 
few days, when he, being returned to duty in 
AYright's (1st) Division, in which he had previ- 
ously served, was succeeded by Col. B. F. Smith, 
126th Ohio Vols. On the 13th of April Brigadier 
General James B. Ricketts assumed command of 
the Division vice Prince, relieved by orders. 

IsTo general movement resulted from these 
chan2:es in or^'anization. Some alterations in the 
location of camps were made, in order that each 
commander might have his forces well in hand ; 
])ut otherwise nothing occurred to mar the still- 
ness of the army in winter quarters. The near 
approach of the season when active operations 
were expected to be resumed rendered some 
preparation necessary, and but a short time had 
elapsed before it was everywhere in visible oper- 
ation. 

The allowance of transportation was reduced ; 
extensive issues of camp equipage, subsistence 
and ordnance stores were made; Corps, Divisions, 
Brigades and Batteries wero reviewed and in- 
spected ; surplus property was removed to the 



77 



rear; and sutlers and other camp followers were 
required to quit the limits of the army. 

Lieut. General Grant, who had very recently 
donned the three-starred insignia, arrived and 
established his Head Quarters at Culpepper C. H. 
The General had not been familiar with the 
Army of the Potomac, and notwithstanding that 
he had been remarkably successful in his admin- 
istration of military aiFairs in the South-west, he 
had yet to win the confidence of Meade's soldiers, 
by showing a competency to successfully oppose 
their old eneni}^, Lee's army of Korthern Virginia 
— the muscle, spirit and courage of the South, and 
the main-stay of the so-called Confederacy. It 
was generally predicted that in his new adversary 
Grant would find different material from that with 
which he had been accustomed to contend. Ev- 
ery thinking soldier was cognizant that, while we 
were making gigantic preparations for a forward 
movement, our enemy, across the Rapidan, was 
correspondingly mustering increased strength for 
defensive purposes ; and that there was strife im- 
pending, unequalled during the war and unheard 
of in history. 

With these stern impressions, the proud and 
inviucil)lc Army of the Potomac was ready and 
willing to move on, under a new commander. 



78 



upon newly devised plans, and with new organiza- 
tion, to meet with success or grapple with defeat, 
as the God of battles might will it. 



CHAPTER IX. 

OPERATIONS AGAINST mCHMOND, BATTLES OF THE 
WILDERNESS. 

Long before the fourth day of May, 1864, had 
dawned upon the hills and plains of Virginia, the 
rolling of drums and the shrill of bugles had 
aroused the slumbering Army of the Potomac, 
and bade it prepare for the long expected move- 
ment. Winter-quarters were soon stripped of 
their equipage, and the troops were paraded under 
arms, in readiness and waiting. 

The following eloquent and soldierly address of 
the Commanding General was published to the 
army just prior to the commencement of the 
march ; and, it is believed, not in vain, for its 
words of caution, confidence, and earnest appeal, 
were deeply impressed upon 'many patriotic minds 
with the full weight of their truth and impor- 
tance : — 



79 



Head Quarters, Army of the Potomac, \ 
May 4th, 18G4. / 

Soldiers /—-Again you are called upon to advance 
on the enemies of your country. The time and the 
occasion are deemed opportune by your Commanding 
General to address you a few words of confidence and 
caution. 

You have been re-organized, strengthened and fully 
equipped in every respect. You form a part of the 
several armies of your country, the whole under the 
direction of an able and distinguished General, who 
enjoys the confidence of the government, the people 
and the army. Your movement being in co-operation 
with others, it is of the utmost importance that no 
effort should be left unspared to make it successful. 

Soldiers ! the eyes of the whole country are look- 
ing with anxious hope to the blow you are about to 
strike in the most sacred cause that ever called men to 
arms. 

Remember your homes, your wives and children, 
and bear in mind that the sooner your enemies are 
overcome the sooner you will be returned to enjoy 
the benefits and blessings of peace. Bear with pa- 
tience the hardships and sacrifices you will be called 
upon to endure. Have confidence in your officers and 
in each other. Keep your ranks on the march and 
on the battle-field, and let each man earnestly im- 
plore God's blessing and endeavor by his thoughts and 
actions to render himself worthy of the favor he 
seeks. With clear consciences and strong arms, ac- 
tuated by a high sense of duty, fighting to preserve 
the Government and the institutions handed down to 



80 



US by our forefathers — if true to ourselves — victor}^, 
under God's blessing, must and -will attend our efforts. 

GEO. G. MEADE, 

31ajo2' General Commanding. 

When the sun lit up the eastern horizon with 
its brilliancy, and transformed the darkness into 
day, the sturdy columns of ^leade's Army were 
moving in martial grandeur towards the Kapidan. 
As far as the eye could reach, glistening- mus- 
kets, fluttering banners, innumerable animals and 
myriads of men, moving in perfect organization 
and harmony, made up the principal features of 
that most impressive spectacle. Sheridan's dash- 
ing cavahy lead the advance, followed by the 
well-clad and disciplined infantry, and the splen- 
didly equipped artillery, all of which, in the com- 
bination of their strength, were bent upon the 
same errand and the consummation of the same 
noble purpose. This fact lent " enchantment to 
the view." The holiness of motive which stimu- 
lated this great bod}^ of men to renewed action, 
and the sacred object for which they were striv- 
ing, made the scene itself majestic. 

At the close of the day's march, the army rested 
on the south bank of the Eapidan from the fa- 
tio'uo and discomforts of the inauo-urative move- 
ment. The morning of the 5th was bright and 



81 



clear, and the troops again moved forward. Ow- 
ing to their immense numbers, all the Corps could 
not be put in immediate motion ; and it was well 
nigh mid-day when the 8d Division, 6th Corps, 
took up its march. This (our) Division being 
temporarily in reserve, there were many irregular 
halts, and during one of these — while lying along 
the Gordonsville Plank Road — the old 9th Corps 
(having crossed the river in the morning and re- 
joined the Army of the Potomac) came up and 
passed us. Glorious Burnside and noble Hart- 
ranft were lustily cheered. Old friends — of the 
51st and 138th regiments — warmly greeted each 
other, and then separated to share with their com- 
mands — in different positions — the perils of the 
conflict already raging. Our Brigade was sub- 
jected to considerable marching and counter-, 
marching under the direction of Brig. General 
Truman Seymour, who had been assigned to its 
command that morning ; and towards evening we 
w^ere separated from the remainder of the Divi- 
sion, and hurriedly marched to the extreme right 
of the Corps. We passed over the ground from 
which the enemy had been driven by the 1st Di- 
vision, and the numerous dead of both the rebel 
and union forces, with which the thickly wooded 
battle-field was strewn, indicated the desperate 



8^ 



character of the struggle in which we were about 
to join. Soon we came in close proximity to the 
enemy, and the Brigade was immediately formed 
for an assault on his position. It was now about 
dusk, and, in two lines of battle, our little com- 
mand was ordered to charge, with the assurance 
from General Seymour that there was " but a 
skirmish line in our front." The attack was com- 
menced ; the Brigade made a left-half-wheel and 
moved steadily forward. (The 6th Maryland and 
110th Ohio regiments formed the first line — and 
the 122d and 126th Ohio, and 138th Pa., with a 
detachment of non-veterans of the 67th Pa. Yet. 
Vols., composed the second.) We were thought 
bj^the Commanding General to be on the enemy's 
left, flank — and in the movement we were to 
*' swing our right." But instead of encountering 
a feeble picket line we found strong columns op- 
posing us. The " swinging" movement exposed 
the Brigade to both a front and flank fire, the se- 
verity of which checked its further advance. 
However, our ground was held amid tlie most 
stubborn fighting for two hours, until the front 
line had exhausted their ammunition, which ap- 
parently occurred simultaneously with that of the 
enemy, for all firing ceased. The worn-out troops 
of the first lino were relieved by those in reserve ; 



83 



but the fighting was not resumed by either party, 
being mutually satisfied at its termination. A 
fierce infantry engagement at night in a wilder- 
ness is an awful scene to behold, and a most ter- 
rible work in which to participate. 

The casualties were slight, considering the heat 
of the action, but nevertheless numerous. Col. 
J. Warren Keifer, 110th Ohio (our former Brigade 
Commander), had his left arm badly shattered, 
and the Major of his Regiment was killed. Maj. 
J. C. Hill, 6th Maryland, received a dangerous 
wound, and many officers and men of these and 
other regiments fell victims to death and injury. 
In the 138th Regiment the casualties numbered 
twelve or fifteen : Sergeant Biesecker, Co. B, and 
Corporal John H. Ashenfelter of the Color 
Guard, were killed, and a number wounded — 
among which was 2d Lieut. H. 0. Grossman, Co. 
B. The Brigade was reformed and ordered to 
bivouac, and further, to be in readiness to attack 
again at daylight. The troops slept on their 
arms that eventful night within one hundred 
yards of the enemy's pickets. The doleful cry of 
the '' whippoorwill;" the moans of the wounded 
between the two lines of skirmishers ; the sharp 
challenge of sentinels on either side ; the ominous 
click and sudden discharge of a musket where a 



84 



'•halt!" was disregarded, — were sounds heard 
which tended to create very solemn impressions. 
In the meantime the enemy could he heard chop- 
ping, working, and fortifying in our front and 
fav on our right flank, and moving artillery into 
position. Colonel McClennan, with other regi- 
mental commanders, waited on Gen. Seymour, 
and reported this fact, urging him to take mea- 
sures to prevent a flank attack hy the enemy, and 
at least to report to G-en. Sedgwick the folly and 
impracticability of an assault in the morning. 
"Wliat eflect these recommendations had is un- 
known ; hut when morning came — and with it 
sharp skirmishing — the order for the contemplated 
charge was still in existence. 

About 9 o'clock a. m. the final mandate was 
given, and the Brigade moved forward, supported 
on the right and rear hy Gen. Shaler's (4th) Bri- 
gade, 1st Division. Gen. Seymour appeared, and 
personally commanded that not a shot should he 
fired until the enemy's works were reached, say- 
ing, "TVe must find where those rebels are;" 
and, with the comforting injunction, " Give 'em 
the bayonet!" he w^aved the signal for the charge. 

The bustle of moving troops, the rustle of un- 
der-brush, the clanking of arms and sabres, and 
the commands of oflicers soon apprised the rebels 



85 



that they were again attacked. The volleys of 
skirmishers deepened into showers, and then a 
perfect storm of deadly missiles greeted our ad- 
vance. On — on — moved our lines until within 
fifty yards of the rebel works, and the smoke and 
flash of the enemy's guns were plainly visible 
through the trees and bushes. 

Felled trees and tangled branches, with the se- 
verity of this fire, were formidable obstacles to 
our success ; but just at the time when it appeared 
that the works would be carried, impatient sol- 
diers began to stop and fire, contrary to orders. 
It is easy to imagine that men exposed to such a 
deadly storm, find it difiicult to restrain them- 
selves from retaliatory action, but under just such 
circumstances, and in the same manner, many a 
promising attack has resulted in disastrous defeat. 
This assault, however, had no promises of victory, 
for every man who bore his part in it, from the 
private soldier up to the Regimental commander, 
knew by the experience of the previous night, 
and by the difiicultics already met, that such an 
attack in such force, was next to madness. But 
trusting in the sagacity of General ofiicers and 
hoping for success, despite of ill prospects, these 
men obeyed and struggled manfully. This irreg- 
ular firing commenced by a few, becoming conta- 



86 



gious spread to the many; and our lines Avere 
checked. The enemy from behind well-con- 
structed entrenchments, poured forth a most de- 
structive blaze of musketry, and from well trained 
artillery came shrieking shell and "humming'' 
charges of canister. We were enfiladed and al- 
most surrounded, but our men stood firm. Shel- 
tered by friendly trees and logs lying on the 
ground, standing unprotected except by the hand 
of Providence, the men of this Brigade fought 
gallantly and stubbornly, contended against over- 
whelming numbers, and the disadvantages of 
their situation. 

The 138th occupied the centre of the front line, 
with the 126th and 122d Ohio regiments on its 
right and left, and was supported by the 6th Md. 
and 110th Ohio Vols. • Col. B. F. Smith, 126th 
0. Y. I., sat on his horse in rear of his regiment, 
cooly snapping his fingers and saying, '' Give it to 
'em, boys!" Col. McClennan, of the 138th, and 
Col. Ball, of the 122d Ohio, stood calmly by their 
commands, anxiously watching the contest and 
awaiting orders. In the meantime numbers of 
brave' men were falling from the ranks of every 
company. Color Sergeant Samuel Aikens, having 
a hand mangled, dropped the tattered standard of 
the Regiment, and left the line, his face distorted 



87 



with pain. Sergeant Chas. H. Fitzgerald, Co. C, 
seized the old flag, and planting it in the gronnd 
before him, used his musket more earnestly than 
before. Lieut. J. E. Essick, Co. A, was wounded 
in the head, and taken from the field, and scores 
of others were killed and disabled, l^o partiality 
is meant by thus alluding to a few individual 
cases — and, while asking the indulgence of those 
who shared in the casualties of this fray — the 
writer is inclined to mention still another inci- 
dent, of which he was a witness — ^the death of 2d 
Lieut. John H. Fisher,- Co. I. At a time when 
the battle raged fiercest, the Lieutenant, while 
fearlessly commanding a detachment* of the 67th 
P. V. y. then serving with our Regiment, and 
behaving with cool intrepidity — was pierced 
through the breast by a Minie ball, and fell back- 
wards to the ground. The writer, at once mov- 
ing to his side, seized his hand and endeavored 
to raise him from his prostrate condition, but 
without avail. His heart's blood and bodily 
strength were fast leaving him. He gasped some- 
thing, and upon being asked what he was saying, 
he called the writer by name, familiarly, and in 



"^lion-veterans assigned to temporary duty with 138th P. V. 
during the absence of the G7th Regiment, which, having re- 
erjlisted, were absent on veteran furlough. 



m 



almost inaudible tones faintly whispered, "Tell 

mother " and sank back exhausted ; the blood 

gushed from his mouth, and in an instant the 
handsome form of this brave young officer was 
cold and lifeless. This is one of many like in- 
stances which occurred in the same battle, and it 
is a matter to be regretted that all cannot be re- 
corded. It will, however, show — to the kind- 
hearted — a picture both sad and noble — the heroic 
death of a patriot, with unfinished words expres- 
ing filial affection upon hie lips. 

The strife fiercely continued for upwards of an 
hour, when orders came to the several regiments 
to retire, there being no hope of further success. 
In this short time our ranks had been fearfully 
thinned ; and in falling back many of the dead 
and a number of the severely wounded were un- 
avoidably abandoned. Our lines were re-estab- 
lished in about the same location from which we 
started in the morning — and with the exception 
of skirmishing between pickets the firing in our 
front ceased. Far on our left the sound of battle 
extended, and we began to realize that our share 
of this great Wilderness conflict but represented 
in proportion of numbers the unexampled mag- 
nitude and sanguinary character of the whole. 

The command remained in quietness behind 



89 



temporary and hastily constructed works, until 
late in the evening, in expectation of an attack 
by the enemy. Gen. Seymour ordered that the 
troops be allowed " to make small fires and cook 
coffee" (a privilege which they had not enjoyed 
since the morning of the 5th), and rode off to 
Gen. Sedgwick's Head Quarters. 

This order was being gladly obeyed, and the 
smoke began to curl heavenward, when a rebel 
force came down on Shaler's unsuspecting Bri- 
gade, which lay upon our right, with the force of 
a thunderbolt, and by the time Seymour's Brigade 
had resumed their arms, a mingled and confused 
body of rebels and Yankees was surging rapidly 
towards our left and directly in our rear. Then 
came a strong force of rebel infantry and charged 
directly on our Brigade fiank. It was " Gordon's 
Georgia Brigade," of Swell's Corps, and, with 
their peculiar yell and a withering volley, they 
turned our right and '' sent us whirling." Gen. 
Seymour returned in time to meet his flying 
troops, and, with Gen. Shaler, to be captured by 
the rebels. The retreat extended down a narrow 
wagon road in the woods for upwards of two miles, 
when the disordered troops were reformed by 
Gen. Sedgwick and his subordinates. The en- 
emy encouraged by the failure of our assault in 



90 



tlie morning, by the success of his flank attack, 
and by loss inflicted and captures made, pushed 
on apparently with the determination to drive us 
to the Eapidan. But other portions of the 6th 
Corps, with troops of the 5th, were quickly sum- 
moned to the rescue ; the lost ground was re- 
taken, and our lines re-established. The scat- 
tered troops of the 2d Brigade and others who 
shared in the retreat were collected and that 
night bivouaced on the Chancellorsville Eoad. 
These troops were somewhat censured for being 
*' disgracefully routed" by men of other com- 
mands, and by certain public journals ; but those 
who participated in that desperate charge in the 
morning and were carried away in the confusion 
of the evening's retreat, vrell know that the dis- 
astrous failure of the former and the disgrace of 
the latter were attributable only to the imbecility 
of commanding ofl3.cers. The same authority 
that governed the unlucky day at Olustee, and 
led the fruitless assault on Fort Wagner, con- 
ducted this handful of braves in the charge of 
May 6th against fortified thousands,, and, by ne- 
glect of proper precautions, permitted their re- 
pulse to be succeeded by dispersion and defeat. 
These reflections are not intended to bring into 
disrepute the name of any commander, but, in 



91 



justice to the now living soldiers who bravely 
struggled in a contest almost hopeless, and to the 
memoiy of the lamented slain — to show that the 
ill-results of the battle did not ensue from any 
lack of enthusiasm or determined courage upon 
their part. 

LIST OF CASUALTIES m THE 138TH 
REGIMEI^T P. V. 

AT THE BATTLES OF THE WILDERNESS, VA., MAY, 1864. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

2d Lieut. J. H. Fisher, Company I, killed May 6tli. 
2d Lieut.. J. E. Essick, Company A, mortally wounded May 6tb. 
2d Lt. H. C. Grossman, Company B, severely wounded May 5th. 
ENLISTED xMEN— KILLED. 
Company A. 
Corp. J. n. Slingluff, May Gth. | Pvt. Wm. Magee, May 6th. 

Companrj B. 
Sergt. J. F. Bieseckev, May 5th ] Pvt. Chas. Dickson, May Gth. 

Covipany C. 
Pvt. Jos. R. Skean, May Gth. | 

Company D. 
Corp. E. J. Hickson, May Gth. | Corp. Jos. Price, May 6tb. 

Company E. 
Sergt Wm. B. Amick, May Gth | Corp. Wm. Ake, May Gth. 

Company F. 
Sergt. Jackson Miller, May Gth | Pvt. Henry Miller, May Gth. 
Company G. 



Sergt. Thos. F. Elden, May Gth 
Corp. D. H. Chronister, 
Pvt. James Warren, 

Company II. 
Pvt. Jno. R. Moyer, May Gth. | 

Company I. 
Corp. Geo. H. Kolp, May Gth. [ 



Pvt. C. Slaybaugh, May Gth. 
Pvt. Q. A. Linah, «' 



93 



Company K. 
Sergt. C.B.Thompson, May 6th I Pvt. Jeremiah Lesher, May 6th 
Corp. Daniel Kulp, <* | " Geo. Burke, *♦ 

Corp. J. H. Ashenfelter, May 5. I '<■ Jno. F. Miller, '* 

Pvt. Benj. Brayman, May 6th. | ** R. P. March, " 

WOUNDED. 

Company A. 



Sergfc. H. Bickel, May 6th. 
Corp. E. B. Buzby, " 
Pvt. Samuel Grubb, " 

Company B 



Pvt. D. H. Lukens, 
•' Chas Pugh, 



May 6th- 



Corp. D. D. Dewalt, May 6th. 
Corp. Geo. E. Booth, 
Pvt. L. Hummelbaugh, 

" P. DeardoflF, 

'* W. Cover, 



Pvt. D. S. Kitzmiller, May 6th. 
Geo. W. Miller, " 

E. Miller, " 

Jno. McClure, " 

H. L. Hersh, " 



Company C. 



Sergt. H. S. Smith, May 6th 

Sergt. Samuel Aikens, " 

Pvt. Henry Cornog, " 

«' J. F. Huston, " 

«« G. E. Lowery, *' 

*' C. W. Makens, '< 



Sergt. Jona. Snider, May 6th. 
Corp. H. McCleary, ' 

<' Jos. Hoffman, '' 

Company E. 



Pvt. A. B. Sutch, May 6th. 
'' Geo. Wilson, 
** Allen Quarmby, 
** C. Rodenbaugh, 
" Henry Fulmer, 
" Levi Cutler, 
Company D. 

Pvt. Geo. Hellman, May6th. 
" J. A. Hochard, << 



Pvt. John Leonard, May 6th. 
Biven Meloy, '* 

Nathaniel Kegg, " 
Wm. R. Smith, " 
Jos. Carrell, " 

Abram Corl, " 



Pvt. H. H. King, May 5th. 

" A. Biddle, " 

<« Miles Smith, " 

" Wm. Robinson, " 

" J. A. Ake, May 6th. 

" C. Claycomb, " 

" John Cook, '' | 

Company F. 
Corp. Jno. W. May, May 6th. I Pvt. Geo. W. Holler, May 6th. 

'< Levi Cook, <' '' Jacob Smith, ** 

Pvt. Henry Miller, <' | " Albert Armstrong, '* 

** Frank Baner, " I 



93 



Corp. G. W. Barchet, May 6th. 

" Amos Hoffman, 
Pvt. Cornelius Crist, 

" Jesse Ebert, 

** John Clever, 

'« John G. Scott, 



Company G. 



Pvt. Jacob Klepper, May 6th. 
E.N. Hartzel, May 5th. 
H. W. Kann, 
Amos Meals, *' 

Jacob Bushey, May 6th. 



Corp. G. W. Sigafoos, May 5th 
" Wm. W. Rogers 
*' J. F. Frantz, 

Company I. 



Company H. 

Pvt. Reuben Scheetz, May 5tli. 
*' Fred. Sigafoos, 



Pvt. Wm. W. Bennett, May 6th. 
" Christian Stagner, 
" Edward Sprogell, 



Pvt. Chris. Kastler, May 6th. 
James Parks, " 

John Seifert, <' 



Pvt. Henry Umstead, May 5th. 
" Thomas Whalon, «' 
*« J.W.Undercoffler,May6th. 
" Frank Walton, <' 

" Hiram M. Puff, " 



Company K. 



Pvt. John Cratz, May 6th. 
C. Hoffnagle, " 
S. Kingkiner, *' 
H. C. Moser, " 



MISSING. 

May (Sth, 1864. 



Pvt. Archibald Stewart, Co. A. 
" Wm. H. H. Stultz, «' B. 
" Thomas J. Miller, '< D. 
*' Chas. Summerville, *' " 
** Joseph Loy, *♦ E. 

RECAPITULATION. 

KILLED. 

Officers, 1.— Enlisted men, 26. Total, 

AYOUNDED. 

Officers, 2.— Enlisted men, 92. Total, 

MISSING. 

Enlisted men, 9. Total, 



Pvt. Wm. Defibaugh, Co. 
Henry Swartley, *' 
Edw. W. Sterner, " 
Aaron C. Mattis, " 



E. 
I. 
K. 



27 

94 
9 



Aggregate loss, 130 

Note. — In addition to the above casualties, 26 enlisted men 
were captured by the enemy, making ihe entire loss 165. 



CHAPTER X. 

SPOTTSYLVANIA. 

On the 7tli clay of Maj, the army acted princi- 
pally on the defensive, and the operations of the 
day were almost confined to skirmishing. Strong 
works were however erected, and the precautions 
taken led to the belief that the bloody Wilderness 
drama was to be protracted with the contending 
armies, in positions materially unchanged. But 
during the night, Grant's first flank movement in 
the campaign of '64 commenced. 

Troops who had watchfully occupied the 
trenches now moved quietly ofi:* to " the left," and 
the entire armyjoin-ed in snake-like motion via 
Chancellorsville, south eastward, in the direction 
of Spottsylvania Court House. 

On the 8tii the Gtli Corps reached the vicinity 
of that place, encountering the rebels in strong 
force, and in the afternoon was deployed in order 
of battle, a charge on the enemy's works being 
anticipated. It was not, however, executed, and 
during the night our troops were ordered to en- 
trench. From this day until the 14th the army 

94 



95 



remained in the same vicinity battling with the 
enemy, who stubbornly maintained his position, 
although constantly confronted and goaded at all 
points. The defensive ground chosen by Lee was 
very much like that of the Wilderness, being 
densely wooded and plentifully interspersed with 
creeks and swamps. It was equally well adapted 
to the aid of the rebels, and the embarrassment 
of their assailants ; the contending forces were 
separated by but a few hundred yards, both 
protected by strong works ' against any assault 
which either might undertake. A murderous 
system of sharp-shooting was kept up continu- 
ally, and at periods heavy discharges of artillery 
were made, the combined sounds of which were 
those of prolonged and incessant battle. The 
sharp-shooting was especially destructive. On 
the morning of the 9th our Corps commander 
boasted by the Army of the Potomac as one of its 
ablest Generals, Major Gen. John Sedgwick, 
while at the extreme front, overlooking the loca- 
tion of a battery, w^as shot in the head and imme- 
diately after expired. 

It is said that but a few moments before he had 
rebuked a soldier working in the trenches for 
" dodging the minies" vvdiich were flying about in 
dangerous abundance. Casualties caused in this 



96 



manner were in constant occurrence and it was 
not safe to expose for a moment ones body above 
the shelter of the breastworks on any portion of 
the line. 

Some very heavy fighting occurred on the 10th, 
and our forces were successful in capturing pris- 
oners and cannon. Official news from General 
Butler, who was operating against Eichmond, 
from the south with the Army of the James, and 
from Gen Sherman in the southwest, of cheering 
import were promulgated on this day to the 
troops. These reports represented the former "in 
possession of Petersburg and marching on Eich- 
mond," and the victorious troops of the latter in 
close pursuit of the retreating demoralized hordes 
of Joe Johnson. Sheridan's official dispatch re- 
lative to his famous raid around Lee's army, his 
destruction of an immense quantities of rebel 
supplies, and the liberation of a large number of 
Union prisoners from captivity, was also pub- 
lished. This encouraging information from im- 
portant military points served greatly to inspire 
the army with rekindled hope and vigor, and to 
relieve the cares of our exhausted and war-worn 
soldiers. Here, at Spottsylvania, we of the 3d 
Division, first hum General Eicketts, our new 
commander. 



97 



He, with his staff, leaving horses, baggage, &c., 
in the rear, staid in the trenches with common 
soldiers. Assuming no false dignity, he con- 
ducted himself as if conscious that he *' held his 
life in his hand" with the humblest of his com- 
mand, and that he owed to his men his presence 
and encouragement, as well as they in return were 
bound to respect and obey. He mingled and 
chatted with the soldiers of his Division, and in 
the meantime watched, commanded and executed, 
alternately, as his duties and orders required. 
The care he exercised for the safety and welfare 
of his troops, his fearless participance in all dan- 
ger in which they, under his charge, were in- 
volred, at once admitted him into their affections. 
He was always ready for emergencies, prompt to 
act, willing to brave trouble and was always ap- 
proachable. These traits made him "the suc- 
cessful and popular General of the 3d Division." 

On the 12th of May the 6th Corps in con- 
nexion with the 2d made a heavy assault upon 
the rebel works, and some of the bloodiest fight- 
ing on record transpired. 

The 1st and 2d Divisions (of our Corps) bore 
the brunt of the battle, the 3d being held par- 
tially in reserve and but slightly engaged. This 
was on the famous " Slaughter pen" battle ground. 



98 



where Hancock "finished up Johnston;" where 
forest-trees were literally felled hj bullets; and 
where heaps of slain and quivering masses of the 
mangled strongly attested the propriety of its 
given name. The following day brought a mod- 
eration of this indecisive strife, both forces being 
well exhausted, and the weather proving rainy 
and unfavorable for operations. It will be readily 
remembered, by the members of the regiment, 
that on this (13th) day we first, after crossing the 
Rapidan, had an opportunity of writing home. 
Many a hand traced for expectant relatives and 
friends the welcome tidings of ''good health and 
still safe." Short narratives of the scenes of car- 
nage througli which we had passed were given, 
and upon many devolved the duty of reporting 
the sad intelligence of fallen ce>mrades. Well 
knowing the anxiety of loved ones, i,t was grati- 
fying to breathe homeward words of comfort af- 
ter eight days hard fighting. It was a sorrowful 

duty to say that was among the killedy 

and solemn to think that days of bloodshed were 
still before us, and the impressions of the occa- 
sion were such as to limit the letter- writer to pure 
saj^ings and serious truths. At 3 a. m., 14th, the 
army was set in motion and marched from Spott- 
sylvania, the enemy having retired southward ; 



99 



the Fredericksburg and Richmond road was the 
rontCj but towards evening a deviation was made, 
and the 'Nj river was encountered, beyond which 
the enemy was said to be located. A reconnoi- 
tring force of the 1st Division had been driven in 
the afternoon, from the vicinity of the "Bleak 
House," and just opposite this point the Corps 
was ordered to cross and attack, *if the enemy 
could be found. Luckily no opposition in force 
was met with, and the fording of the river was 
accomplished successfully. On the 15th the 
Corps fortified and remained quiet until the night 
of the ITtli, when it was ordered to march back 
to the old 2d Corps field at Spottsylvania, where 
on the 18th Hancock was again engaged with a 
rebel force which was attempting some diversion 
to cover a main movement. The regiment was 
here subjected to heavy fire, although not closely 
engaged. At night we returned to our new po- 
sition south of the 'Ny river. 

May 19th the army advanced about two miles, 
and the left was "swung around" considerably. 
Here works were again erected. On the 21st the 
6th Corps retired to a new line of fortifications 
prepared for the purpose, a ruse which was suc- 
cessful in inviting an attack from Hill's Corps, 
which was, however, easily repulsed by our ad- 



100 



mirably trained batteries. After dark another 
march to ''the left" was commenced, and contin- 
ued during the night. It was extended on the 
day following, by way of Guinney's Station, west 
of Bowling Green to the North Anna river, near 
which we arrived on the 24th. 

On the 25th- our Brigade, which had been per- 
forming service as train-guard, crossed the river 
and joined the Division, which we found in works 
a brief distance beyond. Some fighting here oc- 
curred, but none with the 6th Corps, the 5th and 
9tli being chiefly engaged. ]\Iay 26th a reconnois- 
sance was effected to Noel's Station, on the Vir- 
ginia Central railroad, but at dark the troops 
countermarched, recrossed the river, and moved 
to Chesterfield Station, a probable distance of 
eight or ten miles. This march was known as 
"the mud march," because of the intensely mud- 
dy and almost impassable condition of the roads. 
They were so cut up by the passage of artillery 
and wagon trains, that they were knee deep with 
mud and water, and in some places pools were 
encountered into which men would sink to their 
waists. The night w^as very dark and from all 
these difiiculties some confusion resulted. Un- 
fortunate men fell and lost their muskets, some 
left their shoes buried deep in the mire, and it is 



101 



believed that a few actually perished from pros- 
tration and suffocation in the mud. 

The march was ended at midnight and the 
troops rested. On the 27th the Corps moved to 
Sailer's Ford, on the Pamunkey, which river was 
crossed on the next day. A position was taken 
up immediately beyond, on a ridge of hills and 
fortified. On the 30th the march was again re- 
sumed towards Richmond direct, but afterward a 
diagonal course was adopted, which brought us in 
contact with the rebels on Tolopatomoy creek, 
some half-dozen miles from the Pamunkey. The 
2d Corps had quite a spirited fight, and on the 
31st the 6th joined in the action. It was not, 
however, extensive, and our regiment incurred 
but few casualties. The battle was called " Tolo- 
patomoy." At midnight another "to the left" 
movement was begun, and the remainder of the 
night was spent on the road to Cold Harbor. 

It has not been deemed necessary to particu- 
larize in description all the movements and skir- 
mishes in which the regiment shared in the month 
of May, after the battles of the Wilderness. 
The slight attention given these points does not 
indicate that they are topics of an unimportant 
epoch in the history of the regiment, for during 
this period untold hardships of exposure and 



102 



danger were endured ; but is meant onl}- to avoid 
repetition which would doubtless rather serve to 
tire than interest the reader. Therefore, to suffice 
all ends, the foregoing summary of operations, 
and the following list of casualties, is the comple- 
tion of the record for May, 1864. 

LIST OF CASUALTIES AT SPOTTSYLVA- 
NIA AisTD TOLOPATOMOY, MAY, 1864. 

KILLED — 1. 

Private, John 0. Staub, Co. B, May 18th. 

WOUNDED — 12. 

Private Benjamin D. Harrar, Co. A, May 12th. 

" Jacob A. Kitzmiller, Co. B, May 13th. 

" John Englebert, Co. B, May 13th. 

" Wilham H. Coulson, Co. C, May 20th. 

" James C. Saylor, Co. C, May 20th. 

" Daniel Price, Co. E, May 12th. 

" Simon M. Feather, Co. E, May 19th. 

" Andrew Corbet, Co. G, May 12th. 

" Samuel Kelly, Co. G, May 12th. 
Sergt. George W. Shoffner, Co. I, May 31st. 
Private Joseph L. Williams, Co. I, May 12th. 

'' George W. Dutter, Co. K, May 13th. 



CHAPTER XI. 

COLD HARBOR, AND ACROSS THE JAMES. 

The 1st of June, 1864, was one of the sultri- 
est days of the season, and we were plod- 
ding a weary way on a forced march to Cold 
Harbor. The roads were intolerably dusty, the 
heat of the atmosphere was intense, and the 
movement being rapid, was one of severe trials. 
About 3 p. M. the 6th Corps came up to our Cav- 
alry advance, who, under Custer, were skirmish- 
ing with the rebels in a desolate neighborhood, 
said to be the above-named place of our destina- 
tion. Almost immediately after our arrival there, 
the Corps, with troops under General "Baldy 
Smith," who had just come from Butler's army 
by way of White House Landing, were ordered 
to prepare for an engagement. A hasty disposi- 
tion of these commands was made ; skirmishers 
were advanced ; the enemy's position partially 
developed ; a plan of assault selected, and at 5 
o'clock the attack was commenced. 

The 3d Division on the right of the Corps, ad- 
joining Gen. Smith's left, moved forward in four 

103 



104 



lines of battle, and with great promptness. The 
front line of the 2d Brigade consisted of the Gth 
Maryland and the 138th Pa. regiments, and these 
two regiments were the first to encounter a galling 
fire from the enemy's sharp-shooters and a difli- 
cult swamp which had to be crossed. These ob- 
stacles overcome, the rebel main line, situated on 
a ridge thickly wooded with pine, was found de- 
fended by strong numbers. The Gth and 
138th were the first troops to clamber the 
works and break the rebel front, which was only 
accomplished by a solid rush and hard fighting. 

The confusion and flight of the enemy resulting 
from this breach in their line was quickly fol- 
lowed up, and, in a short time, the two above 
specified regiments had captured more prisoners 
than their own numbers. 

On other portions of the line our troops had 
not carried the works, and we, in our zeal to 
drive the enemy, soon distanced all supporting 
columns to the jeopardy of our own safety. At 
one period the men of our regiment drove the 
gunners from a battery ; but when within a few 
yards of its position, and about to seize it, our 
scattered and weakened numbers became ajDpa- 
rent to the enemy, who rallied heavily against us, 
returned to their guns, and checked our further 



105 



advance by a raking charge of cannister. We 
were hard pressed, but the captured ground was 
maintained. The entire 3d Division joined in 
the work with ahicrity at the lirst onset, and to 
this command belongs the credit of being the only 
Division of two corps to successfully accomplish 
the task assigned it in this battle. This means 
no reflection npon other troops ; but the beha- 
vior of Eickett's Division was such as to elicit the 
commendation of the Army Commander in an 
official order of congratulation addressed specially 
to them, a very unusual compliment, viz : — 

Hd. Qrs. Aemy of the Potomac, ) 
June 1st, 1864. / 
Maj. Gen. Wright, Commanding QtJi Corps : 

Please give my thanks to Brig. Gen. Ricketts and 
his gallant command for the very handsome manner 
in which they conducted themselves to-daj. 

The success attained by them is of great impor- 
tance, and if promptly followed up will materially 
advance our operations. 

GEO. G. MEADE, 
31'aJ. Gen. Commanding. 

This dispatch was acnt to Gen. Ricketts, en- 
dorsed with the words, " Major General Wright 
directs me to say that he transmits the above to 
you with great pleasure," by Gen. Wright's As- 
sistant Adjutant General. The Division was 



106 



afterwards acknowledged by the veterans, who 
reflected upon its record when first admitted to 
the 6th Corps, as an equal in valor to any like 
organization. If it was not entitled to this recog- 
nition before, it w^as fully earned at Cold Harbor, 
for by quickness and willingness to move, energy 
to seize, and stubbornness to hold, they made a 
victory of no trifling importance, which mate- 
rially injured the enemy, and gave great advan- 
tage to our army. The Division Commander, in 
an order recommending the wearing of the Corps 
badge, issued shortly after this battle, used the 
expression — that " the events of the campaign 
had shown the blue cross to be an honorable mark 
of distinction," and hoped all his men would be 
proud to adopt it. 

During the night of the 1st all scattered troops 
v/ere collected, our lines were reformed and 
strengthened, and the earthworks taken from the 
rebels were reversed for the defensive use of their 
captors. On the 2d orders were issued for an- 
other assault, but soon after rescinded. An ad- 
vance was made on the morning of the 8d, but 
without success, and both armies, finding each 
other immovable, set to ''digging." 

Gen. Meade ordered a temporary suspension of 
offensive operations, to allow his hard-taxed, sol- 



107 



diera a little respite from the toil of rriarch and 
the hardship of battle, and to provide for a re- 
cuperation of su]3plies. Meanwhile, the entrench- 
ments were made more formidable, new batteries 
were erected, and by a series of "zig-zag ditches," 
gradual approaches were being effected to the 
rebel lines. This latter work continued until the 
belligerents were within easy speaking distance, 
and until its practicability ceased. 

Very little change occurred in the position of 
the Union army while here, and its operations 
were those of a siege, close, stubborn and tedious. ' 
The troops were confined to the trenches for 
twelve days and nights, with constant cannonad- 
ing and sharp-shooting in progress. 

On the night of the 12th of June, an evacua- 
tion was ordered, and Gen. Grant moved his 
army upon another great flanking march. This 
was not foreshadowed by any order or manoeuvre 
and was totally unexpected, for we were but six or 
seven miles then from the rebel Capital. 

However, without reluctance, and with implicit 
confidence in the military sagacity of our Lieut. 
General, and in the ultimate success of his jolans, 
we marched at midnight from the battle-scarred 
ground of Cold Harbor, in the direction of the 
James River. 



108 



List of casualties at cold har- 
bor, VIRGINIA, JUNE, 1864. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.— killed. 
Company F— 1st Lieut. Charles P. McLaugliu, June Isfc. 

WOUXDEB. 

Company K — 1st Lieut. Jonathan P. Iredell, June 1st. 
ENLISTED MEN.— KILLED. 

Comjmny B — Private John Kitzmiller, June Isr. 
Company C — Private David L. Dotts, June 1st. 
Company D — Private Noah Allison, June 5th. 
Company E — Private Adam Beltz, June 5th. 
Company G — Private Edwin Brame, June 1st. 
Company H — Private Clayton B. Evernham, June 1st. 

WOUNDED. 

Company A. 



Sgt. Davis W. Roberts, June 1st 
Pvt. Archibald Stewart, 
Corp. Elbridge Griffith, 



Pvt. Crary Stewart, June 1st. 
Watson Wilde, June 4th. 
Hen. C. Rhoads, June 1st. 



Company B. 

Pvt. Wm. A. Hake, June 1st. I Sergt. John G. Frey, June 1st. 
" Joseph W. Linn, " | Pvt. Peter Miller, " 

" Henry J. Wortz, '< I <' John T. Crouse, <' 

" Wm. H. H. Stultz, '« I 

Company C. 
Pvt. Win. S. Markley, June 1st. 1 Pvt. Isaac P. Freese, June 6th. 
" Wm. Wills, " I " Wm. Moore, June 8th. 

Company D. 



Pvt. Nicholas W. Beals, June 1st 
" Josiah G. Leasure, 
" Emanuel Mock, 



Pvt. John Nycum, June 1st. 
Crp. Emanuel Lowrey, June 5th 
" H. Barkman, June 1st. 



Company E. 
Corp. F. Steckman, June 1st. I Pvt. Moses G. Bagley, June 1st. 
Pvt. Geo. W. Fleegle, " | " Allen Cobler, 

Company F. 
Corp. J. Moser, June 1st. I Pvt. David Rush, June 1st. 

Pvt. Franklin Baner, June 1st. I " Hiram May, " 

Company G. 
Sgt. D. B. Slaybaugh, June 1st. Pvt. lien. C. Sadler, June 1st. 
Pvt. Isaac McConly, <' " Isaiah B. Christ, 

«' Henry G. Conrad, " 



Corp. Andrew Bothel, June 1st. 
Pvt. James Vinson, 
<' Jacob D. Kindy, 



109 



Company II. 



Pvt. Lewis R. Smith, June 1st. 
Wm. B. Hare. 
Henry C. Skelton, " 



Company I. 

Pvt. W. H. Heritage, June 1st. I Pvt. Joseph D. Hagey, June 1st. 
" Jos. T. Michener, June (3th. | Corp. Staats V. D. Wack, " 
" Saml. P. Moore, June 1st. I " John Shaffncr, " 

" Jonas Trauger, *' | Pvt. Chas. Prinzing, " 

Company K. 
Pvt. Henry Nicholas, June 1st. I Pvt. Wm. Netf, June 1st, 
" James Cannon, June 3d. | 

MISSING. 

Company C — Pvt. Wm. F. Jones, June 1st. 
Company E — Corp. Martin L. Conly, June 1st. 
Company i^— Pvt. Henry Kelly, June 1st ; Pvt. Shannon E. 
McCoy, Jane 1st. 

Company G — Pvt, Martin Fehl, June 1st. 
Company II — Pvt. Wm. Rupel, June 1st. 
Company A'— Pvt. I. K. Shoemaker, June 1st. 

RECAPITULATION. 

Killed, 1 officer and G men. Total, 7 \ 

Wounded, 1 " " 53 " <' 54 

Missing, 7 «. u 7 

Total, 2 officers and GO men. Aggregate, G8 

The abaiidoiiment of the position at Cold Har- 
bor was so skilfully managed^ that on the morn- 
ing of the 13th the enemy found nothing in their 
front hut unguarded entrenchments, and learned 
with chagrin that the Army of the Potomac was 
many miles distant on a strategic course Avhich 
to them was beyond comprehension. As an evi- 
dence of the steal thiness of this movement, an 
incident can here be fitly introduced. The orders 



110 



for the evacuation were not given to the troops 
until (lark of the 12th, and some of those not im- 
mediately at the front did not even then receive 
them. The mail-carrier of the regiment, Private 
John Harrold, Company A, popularly known as 
''Billy Barlow" on account of his good singing 
of that ballad on jocose occasions, happened at 
this date to be near the Division Hospital, absent 
from the regiment; and early on the following 
morning he, mounted on his steed well known to 
men of the regiment as *'old Rapidan," started 
to the front, and rode unsuspectingly into the 
rebel lines, where, of course, he was at once di- 
vested of his horse and trappings as well as his 
personal effects, and sent to serve a term of misery 
in southern prisons. 

As soldiers value good mail facilities, we had 
learned to appreciate his punctual attendance to 
his duties, and after his capture we, missing the 
daily calls of '' Letters!" from his familiar voice, 
regretted the misfortune that caused his absence. 

The 6th Corps reached Charles City Court 
House on the 14th, and remained in that vicinity 
until other troops and the trains of the entire 
army had crossed the James on pontoon bridges. 
We embarked on steam transports on the night 
of the IGth, and while the remainder of the Corps 



Ill 



was shipped to City Point, the 3d Division was 
conveyed to Point of Rocks on the Appomattox 
and there ordered to land. On the 17th our com- 
mand was assigned a position in the trenches of 
Butler's army at Bermuda Hundred. 

We were relieved from duty here on the 19th, 
and rejoined the Corps then lying before Peters- 
burg. After this our movements were directly 
near that city, which was closely invested. The 
success here met with did not fully meet our an- 
ticipations, but Gen. Grant at once established his 
troops in^tenable positions, and inaugurated the 
final siege of the "Gate City," the Capital of 
the Eebellion. The 6th Corps marched to Ream's 
Station, some six or eight miles from the left of 
the main army, on the 29th and succeeded in de- 
stroying some miles of the Weldon railroad. 

The next day we returned to our old position, 
and remained quiet. 

We were startled and surprised at 2 jl. m. on 
the 6th of July, at the receipt of orders that 
"Eickett's Division of the 6th Corps would im- 
mediately proceed to City Point, to be from there 
transported by water and rajl to Harpers' Ferry." 

What necessitated the presence of additional 
troops at that point was unknown to us, and the 
question gave rise to much speculation. A march 



112 



of some fifteen miles brought ns to "the Point," 
and soon after our little iieet was steaming down 
the James, bound for Baltimore City. 



CHAPTER XII. 

MONOCACY. 

Arriving at Baltimore about 5 a. m. on the 8th 
of July, the 138th Regiment debarked from the 
transport " Jersey Blue," aboard of which it had 
spent some thirty-six hours ; and with the rest of 
the Division was hurriedly loaded upon cars of the 
Baltimore and Ohio railroad, which had awaited 
our arrival and which were put in immediate mo- 
tion westward. 

Upon reaching "Monocacj," or Frederick Junc- 
tion, about 4 p. M., some fifty miles from the city, 
instructions came from Major General Wallace, 
commanding the Department, to disembark the 
troops and to proceed no further until speciall}^ 
ordered. That night we bivouaced on the loyal 
soil of Maryland. Our trip on the water and by 
rail had been generally pleasant, and we had 
passed over a route with which we were some- 



113 



what familiar. The country was rich with goklen 
harvest crops and Mature clothed the scenery with 
the finest garb of the season. 

From every house on the line of the raih'oad, 
as the long trains of troops rolled by, flags and 
handkerchiefs were waving ; old men and ma- 
trons, fair ladies and wondering children, farm- 
laborers and negroes, looked on, greeted, cheered 
and wished us ''God speed." The contrast be- 
tween these fertile fields and peaceful homes, and 
the barren wastes and desolated places of war- 
begrimmed Virginia, was so impressive that we 
imagined the very air was purer — the water 
sweeter — and that our grassy couches equalled in 
comfort the downy cushions of luxuriant home. 

To borrow an expression of Captain S , it 

was a consoling fact that "if a man vxcs to he 
killed in such a country, he would at least receive 
decent Christian burial." 

Rumors from the enemy said to be invading 
the IN'orth were varied and unreliable. We 
learned that Early with considerable force was 
coming, but from where or how near we knew 
not, except tliat he was in some part of Western 
Maryland. So we slept with unconcern because 
of ignorance of his proximity. 

The morning of the 0th found us in prepara 



114 



tion for battle, the rebels having appeared at 
Frederick City, about three miles distant. 

N"either had we much time to delay, for by 
nine o'clock the main body of Early's invad-ers 
had arrived, and skirmishing had commenced. 
Our lines were formed as follows : General Lew 
Wallace's troops, which were principally com- 
posed of inexperienced and undisciplined soldiers, 
held the right which rested on a high, fortified 
bluff overlooking the railroad, the Monocacy creek 
and the approaches to and from Frederick City; 
while Ricketts' Division, formed in two lines of 
battle, joined their left and extended southward 
on the east bank of the creek. 

The entire force held a line crescent-shaped, 
stretching across the Baltimore and Ohio railroad 
and the Washington turnpike. About 10 a. m. 
the skirmishing grew more brisk, and sundrj^ 
petty charges and manoeuvres were made by the 
enemy. It was soon developed that our foe was 
superior in numbers and we were compelled to act 
on the defensive. The rebels began to closely in- 
vest our position, and brought to bear with sur- 
prising accuracy his well-trained artillery. In this 
branch we were sadly deficient, having only ii lew 
mounted hoAvitzers, and a single light Battery, 
wliich was noticeably inefllcient, both its men and 



116 



officers showing inexperience and timidity. There 
were no entrenching tools to be had, and our com- 
mand stood waiting the result of the day, engag- 
ing an enemy at least by four times exceeding 
them in strength. Our regiment at first formed 
a part of the 2d line, near the right of the Divi- 
sion, and companies A, D, F and I, were detailed 
for duty on the skirmish line ; but about 2 p. m. 
the Division was stretched out into a single line 
of battle, without support, and with the left flank 
totally unprotected. 

This manoeuvre brought the 138th near to the 
left, and in time to meet at that point a heavy at- 
tack made by the rebels in three lines of battle. 
They had covered and forced us to extend our 
front, and now, knowing that we necessarily must 
be weak, designed to march directly beyond and 
in rear of our left flank, double it up, and by mak- 
ing a general onset, "gobble" or disperse our 
whole command. As this flanking column came 
nearer, the left of our line was slowly recoiled, 
until it could not be ''turned" without the isola- 
tion of the attacking party from its main body. 
Foiled in carrying out their original plan, the 
rebels now came in direct assault against us. 
Their three formidable lines came boldly up, 
with fiauntino: banners and bristling steel, as if by 



116 



cue gmiicl demonstration to sweep us from the 
field. When they had approached within one 
hundred and fifty yards, our troops poured into 
their well-closed ranks a withering fire, which, 
being continuously kept up, soon shattered, de- 
moralized and scattered the first, and alike the 
second column. Ours was hut a single line — and 
an emaciated and weakened one at that — but 
nerved to desperation and knowing the import- 
ance of the issue it was determined to hold out 
as long as a possibility of so doing existed. 

The third line of rebels came forward and the 
battle raged with renewed heat. All along the 
Division line charge after charge was made and 
successively repulsed. Our regiment* and a por- 
tion of the 9th ]^. Y. Heavy Artillery formed the 
extreme left of the command, and gave effective 
aid in administering severe punishment upon our 
assailants who still pressed us heavily. A single 
battery on the field was "pumping away" over 
our heads, but without any apparent damage 
to the enemy. We knew that if we had 
"McKnight's," or any other 6tli Corps l)attery. 



*NoTE. — In tliis battle, Col. McClonuau cxerciacd command 
of the 2d Brigade, being Senior oilicer protjcnt with it ; and 
Major Levvia A. May, that of the Regiment. 



117 



the day could liave been saved, and every soldier 
present deplored their absence. 

About 5 p. M. the troops (Wallace's) on the 
north side of the railroad gave way in confusion 
and our right was lost. The enemy, enabled by 
this mishap, pushed quickly to surround us, aiid 
in a few moments would have succeeded, had not 
Gen. Ricketts at once ordered the troops to fall 
back as rapidly as possible towards the Baltimore 
pike. Then came a hasty abandonment of the 
field, our dead, and many of the wounded. The 
rebels closely followed with skirmishers, and 
planting artillery on the ridge we had occupied, 
shelled our retreat with damaging effect. The 
Frederick and Baltimore pike was soon gained, 
and our column moved towards the latter city. 
The enemy did not pursue any distance, but, gath- 
ering anew his shattered strength, moved in the 
direction of Washington. 

This battle was one of great spirit and import- 
ance. The 3d Division, 6th A. C, witli trifling 
assistance from other troops, by a hard day's 
fighting, held in check a stubborn, well-chosen 
and overpowering force of invaders, sufficiently 
long to cover the IsTational Capital, and allow its 
reinforcement and preparation for defense. If 
the command had been supplied witli facilities for 



118 



entreiicliiiig and with good artillery the enemy 
could have been longer delayed, if not utterly re- 
pulsed and driven to rout. As it was, the Di- 
vision, numbering not more than 3500 (the entire 
force present not exceeding 5000), was engaged in 
close encounter with two veteran Corps of rebels, 
and only retreated when totally overwhelmed. 

Gen. Ricketts, at 2 o'clock, had orders from 
Major Gen. Wallace, general commander of the 
field, to retreat, but declined to retire until com- 
pulsory circumstances recpiired it. 

To this battle, and the Union troops who fought 
it, is due the safety of the National Capital and the 
prevention of much wholesale devastation of loyal 
property, which would undoubtedly have accom- 
panied the unhindered advance of Early's army 
on the 9th of July, 1864. 

LIST OF CASUALTIES, AT MONO C AC Y, 
MARYLAND, JULY 9th, 1864. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.— woundiid. 
Company 6'— Captain George W. Guss, severely. 
ENLISTED MEN.— WOUNDED. 
Company A. 



1st. Scrgt. J. B. Ileebncr, sev'ly 
rvt. Vi'm. Rodenbaugh, mort'ly 

" Ileury Colter, 

Company B. 
Corp. Eiuory McGuiun, uiort'ly 

" Amos M. Snyder, seve'ly 
r-vt. Elias Stonesifer, 



Pvt. W. Coppleberger, severely 
David M. Snyder, " 



Pvt. Wm. Slrasbaiigb. ^cYerely 
Tohn M. Tate/ ' " "t« 



119 



ComiHUiy C. 
Corp. Jasou T. Butlor, scvev'ly I Pvt. Ab. B. Markloy, slightly 
*' S. B. Salsburg, sliglitly | 

Company E. 
Pvt. Jos. 0. Blackburn, severely 

CoDipany F. 



Corp. Harvey Shatter, slightly 
Pvt. James Kellerman, " 
" William Ernest, severely 

Company G. 



Pvt. George Gftllcr, severely 
Dan. M. Ball, 



Pvt. Benjamin Keller, slightly 
" Henry Zicgler, " 

Corp. Amos Huffman, mortally 
" C. P. K. Walter, slightly 



1st Sgt. N. G, Wilson, severely 
Pvt. Samuel Wiegel, " 

" Jacob Klepper, " 

" Theodore Klepper, " 
" Wm. Sarbaugh, slightly 

Company II. 
Pvt. John McCammon, severely I Pvt. Simon Sigafoos, slightly 
" Frank Smith, " | 

Company I. 
Pvt. Wm. Eppright, mortally | Pvt. John F. Hay, severely 
Company K 



Pvt. Henry C. Sigfried,8ever'ly 
Peter L. Fluck, " 



Corp. Israel C. Wood, severely 

*' Samuel Hallman, " 
Pvt. Ed. D. Ervin, 

JIISSIXQ. 

Company C — Sergt. Benjamin Uebele, Private William Carson. 
Company D — Privates Thos. J. Miller, Charles Sammerville, 
George Gillem. 

Company E — Private Daniel Correll. 
Company G — Private Alfred Livingston. 
Company I — Private Joseph llohr. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.— captukkd. 

Company K — Capt. Richard T. Stewart. 

ENLISTED MEN.— CAFTuny!). 

Company B — Private George Heraminger. 

Company D — Sergt. Y/m. W. Ferguson; Pvt. William il. Ling. 

Company E — Privates William Bailey, Geo. 11. Imler, William 
Stineman, Isaac Gordon, Ciiarles Gardner. 

Company F — Corporal Martin T. Foor. 

Company G — Corporals William II. Reed, Auios F. Hummer; 
■privates Amos B. INleals, Joua.> Frcet. 



120 



Company 'il — Corporal John llymond; Privates Henry Hil- 
bert, Abraham K. Wismer. 

Company I — Corporal Joseph Scattergood ; Private Augustus 
Scliodstadt. 

Company K — Privates Sylvester Merrick, John D. Kelly. 

RECAPITULATION. 

Wounded, 1 ofEcer and 38 men. Total, 39 

Captured, 1 " '* 20 " '' 21 

Missing, ^ a a 8 

Total, 2 GO Aggregate, 68 



The Division marched to Ellicott's Mills, ar- 
riving there on the 10th, and on the 11th moved 
by rail to Baltimore Cit}^, where it encamped in 
Druid Hill Park until the 14th. The command 
was on that day transported to Washington, and 
upon reaching there pushed on up the Potomac 
to join the remainder of the 6th Corps which had 
heen shifted^ from the Army of the Potomac in 
time to meet Early's army at the outer defenses 
of the Capital, and compel his immediate retreat. 
We forded the river at Edwards' Ferry on the 
16th, and on the 17th overtook Gen. Wright's 
command, consisting of his own and detachments 
of the 8th and 19th Corps, in the neighborhood 
of Leesburg. 

On the 18tli the enemy was found on the west 
bank of the Shenandoah river, near Snickers' 
Gap, aiid a skirmish, which involved some of the 



121 



8th Corps troops, took place, which, however, was 
of no decisive importance. 

After some delay the river was crossed on the 
20th, and the command pushed forward to Berry- 
ville ; but failed to find the enemy, who, it was 
reported, had gone southward. During the night 
the forces were ordered to countermarch and re- 
tarn to Washington. 

"We reached Georgetown, D. C, on the 23d and 
encamped. Orders were received that an imme- 
diate movement might be expected, and rumors 
were circulated that we were to be re-shipped to 
Petersburg, which, it has since been made known, 
was the intention of the Government. On tile 
2Gth Gen. Wright moved his command on the 
road to Harper's Ferry, by way of Frederick City, 
and reached the Ferry on the 29th. Another 
mysterious retrograde movement was ordered on 
the 30th, and the last day of July found us again 
at Frederick City. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY. 

About the 5tli of August Lieut. General Grant 
visited the troops then encamped near Monocacy, 
and ordered Maj. General David Hunter, who had 
command of the department, to concentrate his 
forces in the vicinity of Harper's Ferry, and pre- 
pare for active movements. 

The railroads were employed to effect this pur- 
pose, and the 138th Eegiment, with its proper 
command, reached the point of destination on 
the 6th. Orders were now issued by the War 
Department creating a new command, to be 
known as the Middle Military Division, to include 
the Susquehanna, Middle, West Virginia, and 
Washington Departments. Maj. General P. H. 
Sheridan was assigned to its administration, and 
at the same time assumed the immediate control 
of the troops in West Virginia, relieving General 
Hunter. 

A force of cavalry, sent from the Army of the 
Potomac, being added to the 6th, 8th, and 19th 
Corps of infantry, the whole, commanded by a 

122 



123 



General of great energy and ability, made quite 
an efficient army ; and from the date of this re- 
organization there was hope for the redemption 
of the Yalle}^, which, from the opening of the 
war, had been a field of harvest and support, and 
a grand avenue of invasion for the enemy. After 
being well equipped and supplied, the army 
under Sheridan commenced its -^vst feeling move- 
ment against Early, on the 10th of August. 

Without any opposition of consequence the 
march was conducted by way of Charlestown, 
Berry ville and Winchester, to near Strasburg, 
where, on the night of the 12th, the rebels were 
found in position on Fisher's Hill. Some slight 
skirmishing here occurred, but no general en- 
gagement ensued. On the contrary a retrograde 
movement, said to have been caused by the com- 
ing of rebel reinforcements from Richmond, by 
way of Front Royal, with the design to outflank 
our position before Strasburg, was ordered on 
the night of the 16th, and the army retraced its 
route of advance as far as Charlestown. At this 
place, on the 21st, our pickets were ^surprised 
by a sudden attack by the enemy, which resulted 
in some fighting. Our position was" held until 
night, when Gen. Sheridan retired to Ilalltown, 
about four miles from Harper's Ferry. By so 



124 



doing it was intended to invite a further advance 
and possibly an attack from tlic enemy, with our 
troops in a position well selected and fortified ; 
but the rebels kept at a respectful distance. Our 
forces advanced to Charlestown on the 28th, and 
on the 29tli the Cavalry, under Merritt, supported 
by Eickett's Division, had a conflict with a rebel 
force, near Smithfield, in which the latter was 
defeated. A general advance was made on the 
3d of September to Berry ville, where the troops 
encamped and intrenched. Early's army was at 
this time just lying west of Opequan Creek, 
about six miles distant, and the outposts of the 
respective armies were soon established in near- 
ness for mutual observation. The army was per- 
mitted to enjo}^ the quiet of this location until 
the morning of September 19th, when at 2 a. m. 
the entire command marched out to open in earnest 
the campaign in the Yalley. Early's outposts 
were first encountered by the Cavalry under 
Torbert, at the Opequan, about daylight, and 
driven in upon their main force with a success 
that enabled our infantry to cross the stream with- 
out difliculty, and to secure a position favorable 
for formation. A line was taken up about twelve 
miles from Berry ville, and about two and a-half 
from "Winchester, stretchinir across the Alexan- 



125 



dria and Winchester turnpike. The 6th and 19th 
Corps were first deployed, and about 10 a. m. an 
advance was ordered, before Crook's (8th) Corps 
had reached the fiekl. These two commands, in 
conjunction with the cavahy, made a bokl demon- 
stration, which was successful at the onset in 
breaking the enemy's lines ; but the connexion 
between the left of the 19th and the right of the 
6th Corps was not properly preserved. An un- 
protected gap which permitted the penetration of 
the enemy was thus formed, and the exposed 
flanks of either Corps were points of imminent 
danger to the safety of the army. The rebels 
moved a flanking force to seize the advantages 
offered, and to avert possible disaster our lines 
were withdrawn, reformed and strengthened by 
the reinforcement of the 8th Corps, after which 
the attack was renewed on Sheridan's never-fail- 
ing battle-plan. The three infantry corps were 
moved in solid body against the enemy's front, 
while the cavalry on either front " struck well 
out," and came thundering down upon his rear. 
Then broken, disconcerted, defeated and driven, 
Early's army commenced a skedaddle of the wild- 
est disorder, and the day, with Winchester and 
large captures of prisoners and property, was 
ours. This engagement was short, sharp and de- 



126 



cisivc, and the losses of both armies were severe. 
It was, however, one of great importance, for, be- 
sides other advantages gained, it established 
Sheridan in the mastery of the Valley, and gave 
his army the respect and fear of their enemies. 
The night of the 19th was spent in bivouac in 
the outskirts of Winchester, and at dawn of the 
20th the army pushed onward about 13 miles to 
Strasburg, where, at Fisher's Hill, Early was 
found intrenched and ready to give battle. On 
the 21st our troops were so disposed of as to con- 
front his lines within skirmishing distance, and 
during the night earthworks were established. 

On the morning of the 22d Gen. Sheridan and 
his corps commanders were closely inspecting the 
situation and devising means by which a dislodge- 
ment of the rebels could be accomplished. Their 
position was a natural one of great strength and 
advantage, and both their flanks rested on the 
mountains — the eastern and western boundaries 
of the Valley. These points of superiority in- 
spired the enemy with some degree of confidence, 
but failed to retard our success. In the afternoon 
the 6th and 19th Corps were formed as for a di- 
rect assault ; skirmishers were advanced, and all 
the artillery of the command trained on the 
enemy's trenches. Crook's 8th Corps was by a 



127 



mountain road secretly stealing upon the left of 
the rebel position, and by 4} p. M. it was reached 
and ''doubled." 

Rickett's Division, on the left of the 8th Corps, 
now charged and captured an important rebel 
fort mounting about a dozen guns, which pro- 
moted Crook's success, and enabled the whole 
army to "swing in" and sweep the works from 
left to right. In a brief space the " army of in- 
vaders" was efl'ectually dislodged from their 
boasted "haven of security," again flying south- 
ward in disorganized retreat, and had abandoned 
to our possession cannon, small arms, battle-flags 
and prisoners in great numbers. This second 
victory can be attributed to skillful planning and 
quickness of execution, as well as to the effect 
the previous engagement at Opequan had upon 
the morale of the enemy. It was intended by 
Early to have held Fisher's Hill at all hazards, 
but when the " ever-dreaded flank" was turned, 
the rebel army could have been no more easily 
held than a whirlwind. 

A story obtained circulation that after this bat- 
tle, upon an occasion when "old Jubal Early" 
was riding by on the march, some of his soldiers 
whose provisions were about exhausted cried after 
him, "Rations ! Rations !" to which "the Apple- 



128 



jack General" turned in his saddle, and in reply 
hissed with his most hitter accents, " Fisher's 
Hill! Fisher's Hill !" 

The Regimental Commander's official report of 
the operations from the 19th to the 22d of Sep- 
temher inclusive was as follows : — 

Hd. Qrs., 138th Pa. Vols. \ 

September — 1864. / 
****** 

In compliance with orders received I have the 
honor to report the following operations of this com- 
mand in the engagements of Opequan and Fisher's 
Hill :— 

At 2 A. M. 19th inst. w^e broke camp at Clifton, 
and marched to the Winchester turnpike, thence to- 
wards the Cpequan which we reached shortly after 
daylight, and formed in line of battle within 2 J miles 
of Winchester. This regiment constituted a portion 
of the first line of the Brigade, and when the ad- 
vance was ordered, moved forward in connexion with 
the 6th Maryland and 67th Pa. regiments on our 
right and left. 

When the lines of the Corps fell back after the 
first charge, the order of battle was preserved as well 
as possible, but some confusion existed. The troops 
w^re easily rallied and when the grand advance w^as 
made, w^e moved forward under a terrible fire of ar- 
tillery and musketry, driving the rebels hefore us, 
inflictino; and suiferino^ severe losses. We shared in 
the pursuit until darkness ensued — and bivouaced for 
the night near Winchester. During the engagement, 



'l29 



Col. McClennan, commanding the regiment on foot, 
became exhausted from the effects of over exertion 
and a late sickness, and was compelled to relinquish 
the command to me. 

The behavior of officers and men was highly cred- 
itable. Captains John E. Stuckey, James II. Walter, 
John W. Feight and Lieut. J. P. Iredell fell severely 
wounded, while in the faithful performance of their 
duties. Our losses amounted to three killed, thirty- 
seven wounded, and three missing. On the 20th 
the command marched to near Strasburg, and on the 
21st this Division moved to the extreme right of our 
lines, where after considerable skirmishing a position 
was taken and fortified. On the 22d about noon we 
moved from our works to the right and advanced up 
a ravine towards the rebel left, where we lay in front 
of a strong rebel earthwork until 5 p. M., when a 
charge was ordered and made simultaneously with a 
movement of the 8th Corps, which turned the ene- 
my's left flank, and resulted in his utter rout ; the 
capture of artillery, prisoners, &c., and another glo- 
rious victory for Sheridan's army — with but trifling 
loss. Our regiment bore an honorable part in this 
battle ; its colors reached the rebel works third in 
order ; and about seventy-five prisoners were taken 
and accredited it. Many others were passed by and 
fell into hands of other troops, as the men were more 
anxious to follow up the pursuit of the flying enemy 
than to tarry with captures. I can recommend the 
entire regiment engaged, for general good conduct, 
but would not attempt to single out individual cases 
of bravery, for all participated with good will and 



130 



determination. Our losses were, one killed and 
three wounded. 

Very Respectfully, 

Your Obedient Servant, 

LEWIS A. MAY, 
Major Commanding Regiment. 

LIST OF CASUALTIES, AT OPEQUAN, YA., 
SEPTEMBER 19, 1864. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.— wounded. 
Company D — Captain John S. Stuckey. 
Company jP— Captain John W. Feight. 
Company G — Captain James H. Walter. 
Company K — Lieut. Jonathan P. Iredell. 

ENLISTED MEN.— KILLED. 
Company A — Private Peter S. Eddleman. 
Company H — Private James B. Green. 
Company /—Private James Wilson. 

WOUNDED. 

Company A. 



Pvt. James Nolan, 
David Updegrov«. 



Bergt. Daniel A. Reiff. 

Corp. P. A. Smith, color bearer 

Pit. Abram Gotwaltz. 

Company B. 
Corp. Peter Thorn. I Pvt. Ephraim Herr. 

" Henry J. Wortz. | 

Company C. 
Sergt. Charles H. Fitzgerald. 1 Pvt. Edmund H. Smith. 
Pvt. Charles W. Makens. | " Jacob H. Dolts. 

Company D. 
Corp. John B. Hammer. I Pvt. Moses Shroyer. 

Pvt. William Lucas. | 

Company U. 
Pvt. H. H. Kin?. 1 Pvt. William G. Riffle. 

Company F. 

Pvt. Oliver Lowery. 



Corp. Fred. G. Ritchie. 
Ptt. Hiram May. 
" Joseph Shroyer. 



George W. Holler. 
John Valentine. 



131 



Company O. 
Ptt. Joseph Beck. | Pvt. William Sarbaugh. 

Company H. 
Sergt. Joseph B. Heaton. I Pvt. Lewis R. Smith. 

Pvt. Dennis Strouse. | " Samuel Hillborn. 

Company I. 
Sergt. George W. Shoffner. | Pvt. Edmund Dalbey. 

Company K. 
1st Sergt. Stokes C. Bodder. | Pvt. Pliram M. Puff. 

MISSING. 

Company A — Private Adam Hersh. 
Company E — Private Samuel Clark. 
Company D — Private Nathaniel James. 

RECAPITULATION. 

Commissioned officers, wounded, 4 Total, 4 

Enlisted men, killed, 8 ♦« 3 

" wounded, 33 *« 33 

" missing, 3 «• 3 

Aggregate, 43 

LIST OF CASUALTIES AT THE BATTLE OF FISHER'S 
HILL, VA., SEPT. 22d, 1864. 

Killed. — Corp. Daniel Dewalt, Co. B. 
Wounded.-^— Pvt. Tobias Shaffer, Co. F. 

The pursuit of the rebel army after its defeat 
at Fisher's Hill was continued during the night 
succeeding the battle, and afterwards with such 
vigor that Early was overtaken on the 24th at Mt. 
Jackson, where he made a feeble show of resist- 
ance. A determined advance of our troops soon 

*An imperfection in the records of the Regiment omits the 
names of two enlisted men wounded in this battle, aud prevents 
their publication. 



132 



caused a resumption of his retreat which, though 
hasty, was not without organization and a rear 
guard to cover it. The three corps of Sheridan's 
army marched in parallel columns, preceded by 
a line of skirmishers, of which, in the front of the 
6th Corps, the 138th Regiment constituted a part. 
Some ten miles were marched in this wise, until 
about 5 p. M., when near a little village called 
ITew Market a skirmish resulted from a rebel 
freak to assume a temporary stand. Our Eegi- 
ment had a brisk share in this collision, and in- 
curred a few casualties, among which were Sergt. 
John Dalbey, commanding Company A, Corp. 
James E. Over, Co. E, and a few others whose 
injuries were slight. The army moved to Harri- 
sonburg, and encamped on the 25th, and the 
enemy at that time was supposed to have gone in 
the direction of Gordonsville. 

The movements in the Valley so far had been 
of the most active character. A formidable ene- 
my had been twice defeated in pitched battle and 
driven a distance upwards of one hundred miles, 
within the short period of a week. This exacted 
great endurance from the army, but elated with 
success and having unbounded confidence in their 
leader, the troops yielded cheerfully to all re- 
quirements of the campaign. On the 6th of Oc- 



133 



tober the army moved northward, the farther 
pursuit of Early being recognized as. impractica- 
ble on account of dangerous isolation from our 
base of supplies, which would necessarily follow 
the extension of a route already harassed with 
severity by numerous and daring guerillas. 

Before, and attending this movement, a systen\ 
of destruction was established by Gen. Sheridan 
in pursuance of proper military authority, which 
was calculated to render* the Valley useless in 
point of support to the Rebellion. As faj as it 
could be conveniently done, the live stock of the 
country was driven off with the army. Barns, 
mills, manufactories, granaries and store houses, 
were destroyed by fire, and the crops and pro- 
visions which escaped the fate of these buildings, 
were either spared to the use of their owners, or 
appropriated to that of our troops. This whole- 
sale devastation was a severe blow upon the in- 
habitants of this stricken valley, but harsh as it 
may have seemed, it was a necessary measure to 
reduce the resources of the rebel armies and to 
substitute suffering for bloodshed. There were 
some depredations committed which reflected no 
credit upon civilized warfare, but for these un- 
principled men (who are found not only in all 



134 



armies, but in all collections of mankind,) are 
solely responsible. 

The march was concluded by October 9th when 
the army halted at Strasburg. On this day a 
force of the enemy's cavalry, which had followed 
our withdrawal from Harrisonburg, was attacked 
and dispersed by Gen. Torbert's command, with 
considerable loss in cannon and prisoners. The 
6th Corps marched to Front Koyal on the 10th, 
where it encamped, leaving the remainder of the 
command in the nei2:hborhood of Fisher's Hill. 
At daylight, October 13th, the Corps moved with 
orders to report at Alexandria, and proceeded as 
far as Millwood, near Ashby's Gap — some sixteen 
miles. Upon our arrival here the march to Alex- 
andria was recalled, and at 3 a. m. the next day 
we were ordered to return with dispatch to Sher- 
idan near Middletown. 

We found the troops in camp on the banks of 
Cedar creek, and ascertained that the rebels had 
been making a demonstration, and were then in 
occupancy of Fisher's Hill. 

The army was now formed in the order of a 
semi-circle, the 19th Corps in the centre, with the 
6th and 8th Corps on the right and left. 

In the distance the smoke from Early's encamp- 
ments, and the movements of his signal corps at 



135 



the stations on Fisher's Hill and adjoining heights, 
were plainly discernible, and as if " waiting for 
something to turn uj^" the two armies thus re- 
mained with about three miles between. 

An offensive movement on the part of the rebel 
army was the least expected of all improbable 
things, but an interposition of that Power which 
governs the tide of war and the fate of the world 
came upon us and broke the quiet which per- 
vaded the Valley. 

On the morning of October 19th the unsuspect- 
ing troops of Sheridan's army_,^were aroused by 
heavy discharges of musketry, from the direction 
of Gen. Crook's position on the extreme left, and 
the fact that Early had, by a movement of great 
secrecy, stole a night march upon our flank, 
turned it, and was aiming at the defeat — by sur- 
prise — of our army, dawned upon our minds with 
the coming of the day. Crook's command, being 
out-iianked, began to retreat without regard to 
organization, and its disorder soon spread to the 
19th Corps. 

The rebels were thereby enabled to sweep the 
earthworks and gain nearly all the artillery in 
position. The 6tli Corps was formed and moved 
with rapidity to the centre and rear of the main 
army, and established as a bulwark against the 



136 



confusion of the other troops and the advance of 
the enemy. They pushed desperately upon us, 
and the embarrassment caused by stragglers run- 
ning through our ranks, and the first fierce shock 
of the rebel assault, combined, made even the 
sturdy lines of the 6th Corps to quiver ; but tli.ey 
were preserved unbroken. Major Gen. Wright 
who had command of the Army (Gen. Sheridan 
being absent) rode along the lines in the face of 
the rebel storm, and with the blood trickling from 
a flesh wound in the face, enjoined his men to 
stand fast, telling them that upon their conduct 
depended the result of the battle. 

Brig. General Ricketts commanded the Corps, 
and with his wonted faithfulness was at the head 
of his troops until dangerously wounded and 
borne, from the field. Col. J. AV. Keifer who, 
throughout the Yalley campaign had commanded 
the 2d Brigade, had charge of the 3d Division, 
while the Brigade was led by Col. "W. H. Ball, 
122d Ohio Vols. After a few hours' severe fight- 
ing our lines were slowly withdrawn to the north 
of Middletown, a distance of perhaps two miles, 
where a temporary line Avas taken up and fortified. 

The rebels were now checked and held at bay, 
and an opportunity was ofl:ered to gather together 
stragglers, and reform scattered commands. 



137 



About 3 p. M. Geu. Shericlau arrived upon the 
field, and after surveying the situation at once 
ordered a simultaneous advance of the several 
corps. As he rode along the line he told the 
troops they must retake their old camping 
grounds, and a general manifestation of confi- 
dence and willingness in enthusiastic cheering was 
their reply. 

The attack was made, the enemy routed, and 
the ground lost by the ill fortunes of the morn- 
ing regained. The whole army pursued as far as 
Strasburg, and the cavalry until after dark con- 
tinuing it further by their unexampled dash and 
energy, completely demoralized the enemy. His 
troops were scattered in all directions, and his 
trains and artillery were so confused and tangled 
together as to eftectually block up the route of re- 
treat. Upwards of sixty cannon, with great 
trains of wagons and ambulances, and thousands 
of prisoners were captured ; and the Battle of 
Cedar Creek, although its beginning was dark 
and disastrotis, had a glorious termination. 

The remnant of Early's army fled towards 
Staunton, never to appear or be heard of again as 
an invading body, and our forces remained in 
undisturbed possession of the Valley. In the 
battle of the 19th the 138th Regiment, com- 



138 



manded by Major Lewis A. May, bore a full and 
active participance, and during part of tlie day 
served upon the skirmish line. 

LIST OF CASUALTIES AT THE BATTLE 
OF CEDAR CREEK, VA., OCT. 19, 1864. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.— wounded. 

Company C — 1st Lieut. Samuel W. Cloward, severely. 
Company D — 1st Lieut. John A. Gump, mortally. 
Company II—\^i Lieut. Wm. B. Lovett, severely. 
Company i^— 2d Lieut. Martin S. Bortz, slightly. 

ENLISTED MEN.— KiLiBD. 
Company A — Private Sylvester Staley. 
Company E — Private David B. Craine. 

WOUNDED. 

Company A — Sergt. Harrison Bickel. 

Company B. 
1st Sergt. David M. McKnight. | 1st Sergt. Basil II. Norris. 

C 011123 any C. 
Corp. Jason T. Butler, I Pvt. John Knause, 

Pvt. David F. Anderson, | " Richard N. Shinn. 

Company D. 
1st. Sergt. Jonathan Snider, | Pvt. John A. Beltz. 

Company E. 
Sergt. Daniel Beard, I Pvt. Henry Speck, 

Corp. Abraham Carpenter, | " Samuel Ridenbaugh. 

Company F. 
Sergt. John Geller, I Pvt. Wm. Feight, 

*' Joseph Barclay, | " Wm. Keny, 

Corp. Fred. G. Ritchey, I " Daniel M. Ball, 

Pvt. E. B. Miller, | " Abram Miller. 

Company G. 



Corp. Isaac E. Cook, 

" C. P. K. Walker 
Pvt. Henry Ziegler, 

Company II, 
Pvt. Lewis R. Smith. 



Pvt. Wm. F. Sadler, 
John Cleaver. 



139 



Company I. 
Corp. Staats V. D. Wack, | Corp. Sylvester W. Snyder. 

Company K, 



Corp. Barclay Kenderdine 

Pvt. Wm. Biddle, 
** George Dutter, 
«* Charles Magee, 



Pvt. George Paulis, 
Eli Sabold, 
Henry Kulp, 



RECAPITULATION. 

Commissioned officers, wounded, - 4 

Enlisted men, killed, - - - 2 

** Tfounded, - - • 86 

Total, 42 

Brig. Gen. T. Seymour (captured at the battle 
of the Wilderness, May 6th, while in command 
of the 2d Brigade) having been exchanged as a 
prisoner of war, rejoined the Corps on the 28th 
of October, and was assigned by virtue of rank 
in the absence of Gen. Ricketts to the command 
of the 3d Division. On the 2d of November the 
138th, with the 93d, 104th and 119th Penna. Eegi- 
ments were selected from the 6th Corps, organ- 
iEed as a Provisional Brigade and sent to Phila- 
delphia, under the command of Col. I. C. Bas- 
sett, of the 82d P. V. 

This detachment marched to Martinsburg, from 
which point it was shipped by rail and reached 
Philadelphia on the 5th. 

Until after the Presidential election, we were 
stationed at Camp Cadwallader in that city, and 



140 



on the lltli started to return to Sheridan's army. 
The 138th rejoined its proper command in camp 
about three miles south of Winchester, and in 
that location remained until about the 1st of De- 
cember when the 6th Corps was ordered to be 
transferred from the Shenandoah Valley to Gen. 
Grant's position before Petersburg. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

PETERSBURG, AND THE CLOSE OP THE WAR. 

The 8d day of December, 1864, saw the 138th 
en-route, by way of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail- 
road, from Winchester to Washington, and on the 
next day it reached the Capital, and with the rest 
of the 3d Division, 6th Army Corps, embarked 
on a transport fleet, bound for City Point, which 
left port about noon. The trip to " the Point" 
consumed about thirty hours, and on the 6th the 
troops were moved via Grant's Military Railroad 
to the front. The 6th Corps was assigned to that 
portion of the lines before Petersburg then held 
by Warren's (5th) Corps, which command it re- 
lieved of its winter encampments and duty in the 



141 



trenches. The Corps was formed with 1st Di- 
vision on the right, 3d in centre, and 2d on the 
left, hetween the 9th Corps on the north and 2d 
Corps on the south. 

The 138th Regiment was detailed on the 7th to 
garrison an earthwork on the rear line of de- 
fences, near the Weldon Railroad, designated as 
Fort Dushane, where it established quarters for 
the winter. The fort was one of a chain extend- 
ing from the left near Hatcher's Run toward City 
Point, and guarding the rear of the entire army 
from any raids or flanking movements which 
might he undertaken by the enemy. With a 
battery of artillery our regiment remained in this 
station until the season for active operations had 
returned, but did not escape an ample share of 
picket and fatigue duty, for which large details 
were furnished daily. The winter of 1864-65 
Avas bleak and dreary, and the unabated vigilance 
they were required to preserve in the cold and in- 
clemency of the weather, entailed much hardship 
on the troops of both armies. 

During the holidays the regiment was re- 
membered by some of the good people of Mont- 
gomery county in the donation of a very rich 
and substantial repast as a Christmas dinner, 
which was brought to the front by a delegation of 



142 



citizens, and spread on the gala day before "a 
grateful four hundred." 

About the same time a beautiful stand of colors 
was received as a present from the " Loyal citizens 
of Il^orristown and Bridgeport, Pa.," which gave 
pride to erery member of the command. 

In Acknowledgment of this latter gift an appro- 
priate address was prepared and sent to the do- 
nors, of which the annexed is a correct copy : — 

Head Quarters 138tii Penna. Vols., ) 
Before Petersburg, Ya., Dec. 25, 1864. J 

In returning to you our acknowledgments for the 
beautiful stand of colors and markers, which in your 
appreciation of our worth and the cause in which we 
are engaged, you have seen fit to prevent us, we find 
it no easy task to appropriately express ourselves. 

And it is no less diflScult for us to properly say to 
you what the occasion and subject demands ; but 
having for nearly three years shared the trials and 
dangers and triumphs of our national arms, such 
kind acts as that of yours show to us that you are no 
less mindful of our sacrifices, than we are who endure 
them. It comforts us to be assured that not a cent 
from a disloyal person is in the silk composing those 
beautiful flags, and this practical assurance of your 
loyalty and appreciation of our triumphs and sacri- 
fices nerves us to greater sacrifices and grander tri- 
umphs ; and we wish to assure you that to us " patri- 
otism still wears a countenance Divinely fair as when 
the first gun was fired at Sumter." 



143 



The "twin colors" symbolize two inseparable ob- 
jects, our Union and our glorious old Commonwealth, 
and as such they present to us the history of the rise 
and progress of a nation, unparalleled in the annals 
of the world ; of privations and struggles and deedi 
of heroic valor unequalled even by the grandest sac- 
rifices recorded in ancient or classic story. They 
speak to us of long years of peace and prosperity at 
home and abroad, the development of our national 
resources to such a degree as to surpass eren our most 
sanguine expectations, and to rival the empires of the 
old world, who had reached almost their acme of great- 
rfess whilst this nation was yet in its infancy. 

They speak to us of our ships laden with the pro- 
ducts of our own and other climes, carrying our com- 
merce to every part of the globe, and opening even 
the heretofore sealed ports of China and Japan. 

G3hey speak to us of the addition of State after 
State with their teeming populations, until from thir- 
teen stars on that field of blue, they have increased 
to thirty-five. They speak to us of populous and 
magnificent cities, thriving towns, thrifty villages, of 
fertile plains, valleys and hills yielding their rich pro- 
ducts to award the labors of the husbandmen, of travel 
and trafiic upon all our great lakes, rivers and inland 
seas, with networks of railroads connecting us with 
every part of our great country — and all this Avhere 
but a few years ago stood mighty forests, and the red 
man held undisputed sway. 

They speak to us of the home of the free, where 
the down-trodden and oppressed of every land and 
tongue have found an asylum, and by their strong 



144 



arms industry and enterprise contributed no small 
part to^wards our national greatness. 

Such is briefly the history of our flag, respected by 
every nation as the ensign of a great and powerful 
people. None dared to insult it with impunity, until 
treason showed its hideous head in the fairest portion 
of our land, when it was reserved for our own coun- 
trymen and blood to trample upon, and trail our glo- 
rious emblem in the dust, and seek to destroy the 
noblest Government ever bequeathed to man, and 
rear in its stead an oligarchy having as its corner- 
stone a degrading system of bondage, abhorrent to 
every feeling of humanity and condemned by every 
civilized nation on the globe. 

From the earliest foundation of our Government, 
until the inauguration of civil war, we find a portion 
of our fellow-citizens arrogating to themselves a 
species of nobility, and claiming a superiority 'over 
their fellow-citizens in other sections, because they 
held as property human flesh and blood, and used 
and trafficked in it as so much chattel. 

The marriage relation was disregarded, and man 
and woman thrown together and separated, parents 
and children separated and scattered in different sec- 
tions of the country, as the tyranny, caprice or ne- 
cessities of the master demanded. 

No provision was made for the education of the 
slave ; on the contrary, in many States, laws were 
enacted making it a high crime to teach him to read 
and write, thus denying to him what was accorded to 
the lowest savage wdierever the gospel of Christ was 
carried — the privilege of reading the word of God for 
himself. 



145 



Seemingly, the system demanded tliaj the slave be 
reduced to the lowest state of ignorance, and but a 
gtep removed from the brute, in order that his master 
might rule supreme and exact from him the most ab- 
ject and willing obedience. 

No citizen wsis permitted to discuss the merits of 
slavery unless he could endorse the " Divine institu- 
tion" and speak in its favor, and it was only neces- 
sary to incur even a taint of suspicion of enmity 
against it, to bring down on ones head all the bru- 
tality and violence of mob law. 

Neither age nor sex were a protection against the 
refined cruelty of this suijerior race. Thus practi- 
cally w^ere banished from the loveliest portions of our 
land, free speech, and a free press, and in their stead 
the soil was polluted with the curse of slavery, in its 
worst form. Such is the record of a people who, 
without provocation or cause, and without waiting for 
a single overt act upon the part of the man who had 
been called upon by the suffrages of his fellow-citi- 
zens to preside over the destinies of the nation, mad- 
ly plunged the country into civil war, insulted the old 
flag, sought to destroy the Union, and made love of 
country and every other consideration subordinate to 
the one effort of perpetuating human slavery. 

With generous forbearance, a great and powerful 
section yielded every point claimed by the minority, 
in order to preserve inviolate the Constitution of our 
fathers and perpetuate the Union of the States, 
trusting to time and a just God to rid them of the 
incubus of slavery ; and it is their proud record that 
concessions after concessions have been made for the 



146 



sake of preserving the Union, and transmitting to 
posterity a country great and powerful. 

Animated by the desire to save the Union, a por- 
tion of the loyal men of the nation sprang to arms to 
avenge the insult offered to our flag, and to defend 
the sacred liberties purchased by the blood of illus- 
trious sires, and to maintain the '* Union, forever, 
one and inseparable." The struggle has been long, 
fierce and sanguinary ; privations and sufferings have 
been endured beyond the power of pen to describe, 
and sorrow and mourning have been carried into once 
happy homes ; but from every section of the land are 
heard glorious shouts of victory — the sure harbin- 
gers of a speedy and final triumph. It was not ex- 
pected that every citizen should share the dangers 
and privations of the battle-field. 

It was necessary that every branch of industry 
should be attended to, and that all the wealth and re- 
sources of the country should be developed ; and we, 
as soldiers, deiire to say that nobly have the loyal 
citizens at home seconded the efforts of the soldier 
in the field. Money and material have been poured 
forth in lavish expenditure, and by every means have 
the horrors of war been mitigated. Side by side 
will be handed down the heroic deeds of soldier and 
the no less noble deeds of the loyal citizen in caring 
for and encouraging him in the performance of his 
duty, and history will present no nobler record than 
the recital of individual and collective exertions for 
the soldier's welfare. 

Loyal citizens of Norristown and Bridgeport ! 
we are proud of your approbation, and you could 
have presented us with no higher mark of your esteem, 



147 



than the noble gift of which we are the proud recipi- 
ents, for next to our God and our Bible, the flag of 
our country appeals to our deepest reverence and de- 
votion. Wc know its history, we know what we are 
fighting for, and we feel assured that a righteous God 
has pronounced our cause just, and has stamped the 
seal of His approval upon our efforts. We cannot, 
however, find words strong enough to express our 
deep condemnation of the conduct of those cravens, 
who, enjoying all the comforts of home, and in the 
midst of peace and plenty, have sneered at and sought 
to bring reproach upon the efi'orts of the Government 
and of the soldiers in the field to suppress this unholy 
rebellion. For them the achievements which have 
brought renown to our arms have been failures, and 
in the conduct of our enemies thej have seen every- 
thing to approve, whilst the Government and its sol- 
diers hare never received their co-operation or 
support. 

Too cowardly to go where their sympathies are, 
and to join the ranks of our brave enemies, they content 
themselves with enjoying the protection and security 
afforded by a magnanimous Government, and in re- 
turn for this revile and seek to cripple the Govern- 
ment that protects them. 

To complete the sum total of their shame, they en- 
deavored to disfranchise the soldier, and deprive him 
of having a voice in the administration of the Govern- 
ment for which he was pouring out his life-blood to 
preserve. 

We have been told that we are largely indebted to 
the efforts of the loyal ladies for the magnificent gift 
presented to us. 



148 



Wc need not record the deeds of women in behalf 
of their country ; they have become a part of our na- 
tional history. Southern women boast of their sacri- 
fice and home-spun dresses, endured to support an 
unholy cause ; but whilst treason has blunted every 
noble feeling of their nature, and called forth unwo- 
manly traits, we point with pride to the culture and 
refinement of our fair country-women, and to the ex- 
hibition of all the loveliest phases that adorn the 
character of woman, called forth by their devotion to 
a just and holy cause. Mothers, like the Spartans 
of old, have bid their sons go forth to battle 
for the right and return with their shield, or on it. 
Wives and sisters have oifered up devoted husbands 
and loving brothers on the altar of their country. 

The fair maidens of the land have not hesitated to 
give their consent when their lovers, obedient to the 
calls of duty, asked their approbation. 

Far away on the battle-fields and hospitals of our 
country, your loved ones, the pride of households, 
have died the patriot's death. 

AYhen the news that a great battle was in progress 
reached you, seated in your homes, your first 
thoughts were of him, and anxious were the hours 
spent until your worst fears were realized or your 
hopes confirmed. In the camp, on the battle-field, in 
the hospital, among the dead and dying, wherever 
there is human suffering, there the gentle hand of 
woman presses the fevered brow, and offers those 
ministrations which only wo7na7i can offer, whilst fair 
ones at home are busy from morn until night in de- 
vising and carrying into effect everything that can 
contribute to our welfare. 



149 



Your words of cheer come to us in the camp, on 
the bivouac, around the camp-fire, on the lonely 
picket post, and on the battle-field, and we go forth 
better men responsive to your noble influence. 

Whilst every day we are the recipients of sub- 
stantial evidences of your interest in our behalf, such 
as the splendid gift from the loyal citizens of Norris- 
town and Bridgeport, we wish to assure those loyal 
citizens, that it shall always be our aim never to bring 
reproach upon our flag or do an act which shall cause 
them to regret their manifesting in this manner the 
appreciation in which they regard our past conduct. 

We cannot close this without a reference . to the 
tattered ensign around which -we have rallied on so 
many battle-fields, and which will be submitted to 
the view of the loyal citizens of Norristown and 
Bridgeport. 

We part from the old flag with mournful feelings, 
yet proud that no blush of shame need mantle our 
cheeks in recalling its record. Faded, bullet-riddled 
and torn, it speaks for itself where it has been. 

Our decimated ranks show how many have fallen 
in its defense. It has guided us in many battles, and 
never has it been carried back in dishonor. Our 
dead sleep beneath the soil of Virginia, from the 
banks of the Potomac to Petersburg ; on the battle- 
field of Monocacy, fought to save the Capital of our 
Country, and then again from the Potomac through 
the Shenandoah Valley, which under "glorious Sher- 
idan" was redeemed from the invader's grasp. 

We miss our noble dead ! In our ranks and in 
every part of our land the living bear honorable scars 
received in defense of that old flag. And now we 



150 



desire to embody in the following resolution the sen- 
timents we feel towards those who have thus honored 
us with the gift which has called forth this address: 

Whereas^ The loyal citizens of Norristown and 
Bridgeport, Pa., have presented to the 138th Penna. 
Vols., a set of colors and markers which for beauty 
are unrivalled in the army, therefore, 

Resolved^ That we return to those loyal citizens 
our liveliest gratitude and most profound thanks, and 
assure them that having successfully carried and fol- 
lowed the old colors through the greatest battles of 
the war, we hereby, pledge ourselves that, if our fu- 
ture conduct may be judged of by the past, these, 
our new and beautiful colors, will be carried in tri- 
umph wherever we may be led in the sacred cause in 
which we are engaged. 

M. R. McClennan, Col. Commanding Regiment 
Charles E. Cady, Surgeon. 
Simon Dickerhoof, Captain Co. E. 
James B. Heebner, CajHain Co. A. 
Henry C. Grossman, 1st Lieut. Co. B. 
Thomas C. Thornton, Asst. Surgeon. 

Committee on behalf of the Regiment. 



The following promotions of officers were made 
during the year 1864 : — 

Surgeon Charles E. Cady, from Assistant Sur- 
geon, January 22d, 1864. 

Lieut, and Regimental Qr. Master David L. 
McKenzie,from Commissary Sergt. July 6th, 1864. 

Com^pany A. — Captain James B. Heebner, from 



151 



1st Sergeant, December 2d, 1864 ; 1st Lieut. John 
Dalbey, from Sergeant, Dec. 2d, 1864. 

Comixiny B. — Capt. George A. Earnshaw, from 
1st Lieut., l^ovember 30th, 1864; 1st Lieut. H. C. 
Grossman, from 2d Lieut., ^oy. 30th, 1864 ; 2d 
Lieut. II. C. Grossman, from Sergeant Major, 
April 9th, 1864. 

Gompany O. — 1st Lieut. Timothy Kane, from 
Sergeant Major, Dec. 1st, 1864. 
• Company D. — 1st Lieut. Oliver Ilorton, from 
2d Lieut., Dec. 1st, 1864. 

Company E. — 1st Lieut. Thomas A. Prideaux, 
from 2d Lieut., July 1st, 1864 ; 2d Lieut. Reuben 
W. Cook, from 1st Sergeant, July 1st, 1864. 

Company F, — 1st Lieut. Martin S. Bortz, from 
2d Lieut., Dec. 1st, 1864. 

Company I. — Capt. Jonathan T. Rorer, from 1st 
Lieut, Oct. 1st, 1864 ; 1st Lieut. Wm. C. Ensley, 
from 1st Sergeant, Nov. 1st, 1864. 

Appointments were also made to fill vacancies 
in the non-commissiolied staff, to wit : — 

Sergeant Major Timothy Kane, from private, 
Co. C, April 8th, 1864. 

Sergeant Major Osceola Lewis, from private, 
Co. I, Dec. 1st, 1864. 

Commissary Sergeant Frank Ramsey, from pri- 
vftte, Co. A, July 6th, 1864. 



152 



Chief Musician Lawrence Defibangh, from mu- 
sician, Co. E, Feb. 3d, 1864. 

Chief Musician William Earl, from musician, 
Co. I, Sept. 1st, 1864. 

The strength of the regiment at the close of 
1864, was— 

Present, — 18 commissioned officers and 391 
enlisted men. Total, 409. 

Absent, — 9 commissioned officers and 202 en- 
listed men. Total, 211. 

Aggregate, — Present and absent, 620. 

From the time of the arrival of the 6th Corps 
from the Shenandoah Valley, the comparative 
quiet of the armies before Petersburg was unbro- 
ken except by petty demonstrations and picket 
quarrels, until the 29th of March, 1865, when a 
general movement of all the troops operating 
against Richmond was inaugurated. The Cav- 
alry Corps, led by Major Gen. Sheridan in person, 
which had joined Gen. Grant after a series of 
raids uj)on the inland communications of the 
rebel Capital, moved with the 2d and 5th Corps 
towards the enemy's right. While these troops 
operated in that direction with the aim to turn the 
rebel flank and to extend and weaken the enemy's 
lines, the main line of works from the Appomat- 
tox to Hatcher's Run, was held by the- 9th and 



153 



6th Corps, and a detachment from the Army of 
the James commanded bj Major Gen. Ord. The 
movement on the left was not readily successful, 
on account of bad weather and other causes, and, 
until the 1st of April, when at the battle of Five 
Forks the enemy was badly worsted by General 
Sheridan's troops, seemed* to make slow if not 
unfavorable progress. On the night of this day 
all the batteries in the front of Parke's and 
Wright's Corps were opened upon the enemy, 
and the troops were marshaled for an assault. 
The 6th Corps, formed by Divisions in order of 
numbers from right to left, occupied the centre of 
the attacking force, and in three lines of battle 
was prepared for the onset shortly after mid-night. 
At 4 o'clock A. M., April 2d, when the signal- 
gun was fired, ^' Gen. Wright penetrated the lines 
with his whole Corps, sweeping every thing be- 
fore him, and to his left towards Hatcher's Run, 
capturing many guns and several thousand pri- 
soners." (Gen. Grant's Report.) 

By this successful charge, which Major General 
Meade, " without making any invidious distinc- 
tions between the 6th and the other Corps of the 
Army," termed "the decisive movement of the 
campaign," the rebel army was divided and in 
danger of immediate annihilation or capture, and 



154 



Leo hurriod his troops to the inner works about 
Petersburg, which was closely invested at once 
by the entire Union army south of the Appomat- 
tox river. 



COL. mcclenna:n^'s official report 

OF THE ENGAGEMEIS^T, APRIL 2d, 1864. 

Hd. Qr?. 138th Pa. Vols., \ 
April 2, 1865. / 
Captain : — 

I have the honor to report that my command, con- 
sisting of twelve commissioned officers and about 
three hundred enlisted men, reported to Head Quar- 
ters, 2d Brigade, 3d Division, 6th Army Corps, about 
midnight, Ist inst., in compliance with orders given by 
the Brigade Commander, and after some delay was 
formed as a part of the third line of battle prepara- 
tory to an assault upon the enemy's works. 

The 122d Ohio Vols, joined me on the right, and 
the 67th Pa. on the left. The lines were established 
under fire of the enemy's pickets, but it was accom- 
plished without much difficulty. About 4 a. m., at a 
given signal, the lines advanced in proper order, 
under a raking musketry and enfilading artillery fire, 
to the works. The difficulties found in tangled under- 
wood and marshy ditches caused some confusion in 
the darkness ; but the body of the third line came 
Otherwise forward with promptness, and the colors of 
the several regiments were in the rebel camps almost 
simultaneously. After crossing the works the organi- 



165 



zation of the Brigade appeared to dissolve, and 
bodies of men moved in all directions in pursuit of 
the flying enemy. 

My command advanced in a northwest direction 
some two miles, but after a temporary stay I marched 
the Regiment back to near w^here the rebel line was 
first broken, and where I found the Brigade becoming 
re-organized. 

My regiment participated in the charge upon the 
rebel fort last taken by the Division, and several 
casualties occurred at that time. A few prisoners 
were taken by men of this regiment, but I am una- 
ble to report the number. Two men of Co. F pene- 
trated the country as far as the South Side Railroad, 
and tore up some of the track. 

While engaged in this work they encountered two 
rebel mounted officers, who demanded their surrender. 
Corp. John W. Mauk immediately shot one of the 

officers, and Private Wolford fired at the other, 

but missed, and the rebel escaped. The men then 
came back to the regiment, and reported their ad- 
venture. It is supposed that the officer killed by 
Corp. Mauk was the rebel General A. P. Hill, as va- 
rious reports give the circumstances of his death as 
similar to those of this case. I have the honor to 
commend both these men for their daring bravery, 
and to ask that they be suitably rewarded. The gen- 
eral conduct of officers and men was very creditable, 
but other than those above mentioned I have none to 

specially recommend for promotion or reward, 
* * * * * *, . 

The Regiment shared in the movements of the Bri- 
gade during the day, and was not further engaged, 



156 



I am pleased to report my casualties as verj slight, 
considering the heat of the engagement. They 
amounted to two officers and fourteen enlisted men 
■wounded. Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

M. R. McCLENNAN, 
Colonel Commanding Regiment. 
To Capt. W. L. Shaw, A. A. A. G. 

LIST OF CASUALTIES AT THE BATTLE 
OE PETERSBURa, APRIL 2d, 1864. 

WOUNDED. 

Capt. James B. Heebner, Co. A, severely. 
• Lieut. J. P. Iredell, Co. K, slightly. 
Sergt. Francis W. Slack, Co. E, severely. 
" Henry J. Worts, Co. B, severely. 
" George W. Gray, Co. E, severely. 
" D. B. Slaybaugh, Co. G. slightly. 
Corp. Elias B. Stuckey, Co. D. severely. 
" Christian Kastler, Co. I, mortally. 
Private Samuel L. Welde, Co. A, slightly. 
" David Updegrove, Co. A, slightly. 
" George Hellman, Co. D, severely. 
" Joseph D. Hagey, Co. I, severely. 
" Jacob Dotts, Co. C, slightly. 
" John Orr, Co. B, severely. 
" J. W. Linn, Co. B, severely. 
" J. H. Biesecker, Co. 0, slightly. 



157 



On the morning of April 3d our victorious 
troops marched through the streets of the " Gate 
City" and those of Richmond, the long-disputed 
goal of protracted, tedious and bloody campaigns, 
while Lee's army was making the best of an ig- 
nominious retreat into south-western Virginia. 
Close pursuit by our forces was made at once, 
and continued by way of Amelia C. H., until on 
the 6th, about sixteen miles west of the latter 
place, the enemy was brought to a stand and 
Longstreet's and Ewell's rebel commands, were 
fought by the 6th Corps and Sheridan's cavalry, 
with some co-operation from the 2d Corps, under 
Gen. Humphreys. The field chosen by the ene- 
my was well suited to the emergency, being an 
elevated position, overlooking a marshy bottom 
coursed by a stream known as Sailor's Creek. 
To reach the rebels our troops were forced to 
cross this difficult space and ascend the eminence 
beyond in face of a galling fire. 

The 1st and 3d Divisions of the 6th Corps were 
the only infantry commands closely engaged, and 
they, with two Divisions of cavalry, attacked, 
fought and drove an enemy of greater strength 
from advantageous ground, and captured pri- 
soners to an extent exceeding their own numbers. 

Here again the 138th and 6th Md. regiments, 



158 



fought side bj side, and made a charge which 
opened this battle. The troops had marched 
about sixteen miles on the Gth, and from S p. M. 
till dusk took part in fighting as spirited and se- 
vere as any they had before experienced. 

The rebels contended stubbornly, but our sol- 
diers, buoyed by the great successes already ar- 
rived at, and knowing that an opportunity was 
here presented, strove with all their might to 
make it a finishing stroke, which was virtually ef- 
fected, for it was the last important passage at 
arms of the campaign which finished the Rebel- 
lion. It was willed by Providence that it should 
be the last fiery ordeal to be experienced by the 
138th Regiment, and conscious of having given 
substantial aid in the advancement of the grand 
result, we inscribed on our roll of honor last but 
not least (neither to the soldier nor the cause) the 
battle of Sailor's Creek. The men who fought it 
will not forget the presence of "Phil Sheridan," 
Wright, Seymour and Keifer, and how well they 
did their duty ; neither will they fail to remember 
the w^eary march, the hasty formation, the sudden 
charge, the awful swamp, the staggering shock, 
the w^avering pause, the last desperate onset, and 
the flight and capture of an enemy, who, gather- 
ing together trooper and foot-soldier, marine ancj 



159 



seaman, armed with sabre and rifle, carbine and 
cutlass, strove in the " last ditch" to render more 
inglorious an infamous cause, and failing, with 
loss of property, blood and honor, went reeling 
to his final fiill. 

LIST OF CASUALTIES AT SAILOIi'S 
CREEK, APRIL 6, 1865. 

KILLED. 

1st Sergt. Stokes C. Bodder, Co. K. 
Corp. Morris E. Ilinlde, Co. A. 
Private E. IT. Hartzell, Co. G. 

WOUNDED. 

Sergt. Sylvester W. Snyder, Co. I, severely. 
Corp. James. Crozier, Co. A, " 

'^ H. H. King, Co. E, 

" Wm. A. Hake, Co. B, slightly. 
Pvt. Robt. H. Leas, Co. D, severely. 

" Jas. W. Undercoffler, Co. K, severel3\ 

" Geo. Irvin, Co. G, slightly. ' 
Total, 3 killed and 7 wounded. 

The remnant of Lee's army noAV Beemed to be 
aiming in their retreat for Lynchburg, but closely 
pursued by the Army of the Potomac, and har- 
assed by Sheridan's Cavalry, its escape rendered 
impossible, and its fighting out of the question, 
three days found it checked and almost sur- 



160 



rounded, near Appomattox Court House, and its 
military genius, tlie wicked idol of a deluded 
people, sueing from our Lieutenant General, stipu- 
lations for a surrender of the arms (tlie only sup- 
port of falsely claimed riglits) and mock princi- 
ples of a confederacy of treason. 

Following tlie truce which was allowed, and 
the actual surrender which ensued, came the 
official announcement of the latter to the troops. 
Camps were at once alive with indescribable ex- 
citement : men crazed with enthusiasm, though 
scarcely realizing the true aspect of the situation, 
shouted and leaped for joy, embraced and greeted 
each other, tossed up hats, and sent to the hea- 
vens such cheers as never before ascended from 
human throats. 

Batteries of artillery thundered forth the salute 
of welcome to the coming of peace, and in every 
bosom which loved a united country, from that of 
the generalissimo to the humblest soldier, throbbed 
with delight a patriotic heart. Men were proud 
they belonged to such an army ; proud of all 
their military achievements and the greatness of 
their ultimate success ; proud of their generals, 
their country, their flag, and themselves. 

The 9th of April, 1865, was a day of victory 
and rejoicing to the Right, and its sun shone down 



161 



upon a Republic saved, strengthened, and per- 
petuated. The great work being accomplished, 
the surrendered war material was received and 
disposed of, and the grey columns of our late ad- 
versary were disbanded, and the rebel soldiers 
sent under parole to Southern homes. The 
armies of General Grant marched back to railroad 
communication, and for a time encamped near 
Burkesville. 

The 6th Corps arrived at that point on the 13th, 
and remained until the 23d of April, when Gen. 
Wright was ordered to proceed to Danville with 
his command. A march of about one hundred 
and ten miles was accomplished in four days and 
four hours — an extraordinary achievement, which 
was congratulated in official orders — and the town 
was occupied on the 27th. The object of this 
movement was to be co-operative with General 
Sherman, but military affairs in Korth Carolina 
being brought to a satisfactory conclusion by the 
surrender of Johnson's army, it extended no 
farther. 

The surrender of these, the most formidable 
combinations of military strength upholding the 
rebellion, was soon followed by the similar capitu- 
lation of all forces arrayed in hostility to the Na- 
tional authority throughout the country. 



162 



111 a short month war had ceased its ravages, 
and, save one deplorable event of national be- 
reavement, that period was teeming with cheerful 
developments and the happy return of a lasting 
and glorious Peace. 

Orders were now issued to reduce the volunteer 
force without delay, and the armies in Virginia 
and JSTorth Carolina began to concentrate at 
Washington. The 6th Corps was transported by 
rail from Danville to Richmond about the IGth of 
May, and encamped near that city until the 24th, 
when it began a movement overhmd to Washing- 
ton. After a march of about one hundred and 
thirty miles by way of Fredericksburg, we arrived 
near the Capital on the 2d of June, and laid out 
our last camping-grounds within sight of the city. 



CHAPTEE XV. 

NAMES AND ALTERATIONS. 

List of 3Iemhers of the Field and Staff, 138^7i Regi- 
ment Penna. Vol. Infantry^ as mustered out Jime 
23, 1865, at Washington, D. 0. 

Colonel Matthew R. McClennan. 

Lieut. Col. Lewis A. May. 

Surgeon Charles E. Cady. 

Asst. Surgeon Thomas P. Tomlinson. 

Adjutant Jacob W. Cress. 

Quar. Master David L. McKenzie. 

Chaplain John W. Feight. 

NON-COMMISSIONED STAFE. 

Sergt. Major Reuben Hallowell. 
Quar. Mast. Sergeant James W. Kennedy. 
Commissary Sergeant Frank Ramsey. 
Hospital Steward James G. Wells. 
Chief Musician Lawrence Defibaugh. 
" '' William Earle. 

List of the Officers and Unlisted Men ivho, after the 
original organizatio7i and prior to the discharge of 
the Regiment, ceased to belong to the Field and Staff. 

Col. C. L. K. Sumwalt, dismissed March 30, 1863. 
Surgeon C. P. Hcrrington, honorably discharged Dec. 4, 1863. 
Chaplain J. F. Porter, " " June 26, 1863. 

*' James W. Curry, " «' MarchS, 1864. 

163 



164 



Transferred. 

Quar. Master Edward B. Moore, appointed Captain and C. S. 
Vols. August 4, 1864. 

Asst. Surgeon Thos. C. Thornton, promoted to Surgeon of 
67th Penna. Vols. April 20, 1865. 

Sergt. Major H, C. Grossman, promoted to 2d Lieutenant, Co. 

B, April 8, 1864. 

Sergt. Major Timothy Kane, promoted to 1st Lieutenant, Co. 

C, Dec. 1, 1864. 

Sergt. Major Osceola Lewis, promoted to 1st Lieutenant, Co. 
I, May 16, 1865. 

Com. Sergeant D. L. McKenzie, promoted to Regimental Quar 
Master July 5, 1864. 

Total — 6 officers and 4 enlisted men, discharged and trans- 
ferred. 



List of Members of Company A, ISStJi Penna. Vols., 
as mustered out of service June 23, 1865, at Wash- 
ingto7i, D. C. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
Capt. James B. Heebner, [ 2d Lieut. Daniel A. ReiflF. 



Ist Lieut. John Dalbey, 

SERGEANTS. 



John B. Major, 
Egbert B. Buzby, 
Adam J. Schrack, 



Samuel A. Moore, 
George W. Williams. 



CORPORALS. 



James Crozier, 
Joseph K. Moore, 
Elbridge Griffith, 
Crary Stewart, 



(Jeerge IJ. Buekj 



William H. Myers, 
Adam Hersh, 
Eugene Shearer, 
Samuel L. Welde. 



MUSICIANS. 

1 Samuel Mitchell. 



165 



PRIVATES. 



Anderson, Samuel S. 
Apple, George E. 
Ashford, John E. 
Bailey, John T. 
Bean, Peter E. 
Bankis, Reuben 
Colflesh, Jacob 
Colter, Jacob 
Cooker, Franklin 
Custer, Preston 
Dutlinger, William 
Davis, James W. 
DeHaven, George 
Evans, George W. 
Fisher, Benjamin 
Griffith, John H. 
Hahn, Philip, jr. 
Harrold, John 
Hampton, Joseph 
Hunter, George 
Isett, William H. 
Jones, Joseph AV. 
Jones, Jeremiah 
Jones, Richard 
Johnson, Richard M. 
Keely, Henry S. 
Kreible, David K. 
Koplin, William H. 



Lukens, David H. 
Lyle, William R. 
Lukens, William K. 
Lynn, William 
Miller, Isaac M. 
Noblit, Joseph 
Noblit, James 
Noblit, William 
Nolan, James 
Nuss, Samuel 
Ortlip, Jefferson 
Pyle, Charles 
Ramsey, Thomas H. 
Royer, Horatio 
Rinehart, Joseph 
Rhoads, Henry C. 
Reigle, Levris K. 
Schock, Jacob 
Snyder, David M. 
Streeper, Albert W. 
Simpson, William 
Updegrove, David 
Wilde, Watson 
Wheeler, Michael 
Wells, Henry C. 
Williams, George M. 
Wilkinson, William 



List of the Officers ayid Enlisted men who, after the 
original organization and before the discharge of the 
company, ceased to belong to it. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS— 4. 

Capt. M, R, McClennan, transferred; promoted to Lieutenant 
Colonel, September 2d, 18G2. 

Capt. C. Y. Fisher, discharged for disability, Sept. 17th, 1864. 
Lieut. John E. Essick, died of wounds, May 11th, 1864. 
Lieut. Samuel J. Yarger, dismissed, Sept. I2th, 1864, 



166 



Sgt. H. Bickel, May 12, 1865. 

" L. D. Shearer, May 12, '65. 
Pyt. II. Britton, March 15, '65. 

*' Wm. Coppleberger, May 
12, 1865. 
Pvt, B. D. Harrar, May 15, '65. 



ENLISTED MEN.— i>/6>c/tar^er?— 10. 

Pvt. A. Cuthbertson, May 18, 
1865. 

Pvt. M. Murphy, May 10, 1865. 
" A. Newcomer, Aug. 25, '63, 
'« Charles Pugb, Dec. 1st, '64. 
" Levi Ringler, Oct. 24, '63. 

Transferred — 4. 

Pvt. W. T. Benner, Jan. 10, '65. j Pvt. W. H. Hunter, Ap'119, '64. 
" F. B. Bond, Jan. 25, 1865.| " F. Ramsey,'July 6, 1864. 

Dled—V}. 

Sergt. Davis W. Roberts, died of wounds, June 14th, 1864. 
Corp. John II. Slingluff, " " May 6th, 18G4. 

" Paul A. Smith, " " Oct. 19th, 1864. 

" Maurice E. Hinkle, " " April 6th, 1865. 

Pvt. Henry Colter, " " July 14th, 1864. 

" Peter S. Eddleman, " " Sept. 19th, 1864. 

" Abraham Gotwalts, " «' Oct. 1st, 1864. 

" Samuel Grubb, •' " June 9th, 1864. 

" Joseph S. Hallowell, " disease, Dec. 11th, 1862. 

" Jacob B. Jackson, " " Nov. 25th, 1862. 

" Ed. II. Linck, died -while a prisoner of war, Jan. 17th, '<)3 

" William Magee, died of wounds, May 9th, 1864. 

" George W. Ross, died of disease, Sept. 25th, 1863. 

" William Rodenbaugh, died of wounds, July 20th, 1864. 

" Archibald Stewart, " " June 15th, 1864. 

" Sylvestei-Staley, " " Oct. 19th, 1864. 

Deserted— '2. 
Pvt. James Henry, from Philadolphia, Pa., Nov. llth, 1864. 
" Isaac P. Kennedy, from Relay House, Md., June 2d, 1863. 

Missing in Action. 
Pvt. Milton Streeper, at Wilderuess, Va., May 6th. 



167 



List of 3Iembers of Company B, l^Sth Peiina. Vols.^ 
as mustered out of service^ June 23(^, 1865, at 
Washingto7i, I). C. 



Capt. George A. Earnslla^Y, 
1st Lieut. II. C. Grossman, 



COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

2(1 Lieut. D. M. McKaight. 



Isaac H. Moore, 
Basil H. Norris, 
Albert J. Routson, 



Peter Thorn, 
G«org« E. Booth, 
, AVilliam A. llake, 
Oliver C. Hartzell, 



SERGEANTS. 

I Henry J. Wortz, 
John M. Yeagy. 

CORPORALS. 

Charles E. Shorb, 
Nathaniel Butt, 
George W. Harper, 
John Orr. 

MUSICIANS. 

1 John Davidson. 



Emory F. K. Will, 

WAGONER.— Stephen Currens. 



PRIVATES. 



Bennett, Joseph H. 
Bormuth, John 
Biesecker, William P. 
Biesecker, Jacob H. 
Beyers, Christian 
Crabbs, John L. 
Crouse, John T. 
Cover, Winfield 
Dewalt, Alexander 
Deardoff, Peter 
Detrick, Amos 
Eply, William H. 
Eltz, William 
Fallon, Thomas 
Flenner, James 
Groft, Thaddeus F. 
Houdyshell, Zachariah 
Houghtelin, William H. 



Hcmminger, George 
Ilamilion, Marcus J. 
Herr, Ephraim 
Hennig, John 
Hersh, Henry L. 
Heintzelman, William 
Kitzmiller, David F. 
Kennel, Samuel G. 
Koch, John 
Krause, William D. 
Kitzmiller, Daniel S. 
Linn, Joseph W. 
Lawrence, George AV. 
MoClure, John 
Meyers, John A. B. 
Miller, Israel J. 
Miller, George W. 
iMiller, John 



168 



Miller, Ephraim 
Nary, John P. 
Plank, Oliver F. 
Rahmon, Fritz 
Strubinger, John A. 
Stonesifer, Elias 



Sweeney, William 0. 
Strausbaugh, 'William 
Tate, Solomon A. 
Weikert, John T. 
Wagamon, John 



List of the Officers and JEnlisted men zoJio, after the 
original organization, and prior to the discharge of 
the company, ceased to belong to it. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS— 4. 

Capt. John F. McCreary, discharged Sept. 12th, 1864. 
2d Lieut. Harvey W. McKnight, discharged Dec. 16th, 1862. 
2d Lieut. J. C. Levelsberger, discharged Feb. 26th, 1864. 
1st Lieut. Jacob W. Cress, transferred; appointed Adjutant 
August 30th, 1862. 



ENLISTED MEN 
1st Sgt. J. G. Frey, June 6, '65. 
Corp. A. S. Snyder, Feb. 16, '65. 
Pvt. W: Harmon, Oct. 24, 1863. 

" L. W. Detrick, Feb. 2, '64. 

** F. Barbraham, March 15, 

1864. 
Pvt. J. A. Miller, Sept. 27, '64 



— Discharged — 11 . 

Pvt. J. A. Kitzmiller, Sept. 20, 

1864. 
Pvt. L. Hummelbaugh, March 

25, 1865. 
Pvt. Albert Bey, May 15, 1865. 
" D. E. Cress, June 6, 1865. 
<' Peter Miller, June 10,' 65. 



Transferred — 6. 

Pvt. D. L. McKenzie, Sept. 15, Pvt. 

1862. 1 1, 

Pvt. W. B. Zecker, Jan. 15, '64. Pvt. 

'« J.Englebert, Marchl5,'65.| " 

Died—lb. 

Sergt. John F. Biesecker, died of 

Corp. Emory McGuinn, *' 

" Daniel Dewalt, *< 

Pvt. John Osborn, <' 

" John T. Lookenbill, *' 

«« Charles F. Ogden, " 

'♦ Wm. A, Hennig, «• 



J. F. Wunderllch, March 

1864. 

Levi Beck, Sept. 30, 1864. 

J. M. Tate, March 12, 1865. 



wounds. May 8th, 1864. 
<' ' July 22d, 1864. 
Sept. 22d, 1864. 
disease, Nov. 23d, 1862. 
wounds, Nov. 27th, 1863. 
Nov. 27th, 1863. 
Nqy. 30th, 1863. 



169 



Pvt. Robert Johnson, died of wounds Dec. 20th, 1863. 
♦♦ Charles Dixon, " " May 6th, 1864. 

«' John Staub, *' " May 18th, 1864. 

'♦ John Kitzmiller, " " June 1st, 1864. 

*' H. D. Gilbert, died while prisoner of war, Sept. 28th, '64. 
«' B. K. Gulp, " " " Sept. 17t.h, '64. 

*• Elias B. Wrights, died of disease, June 1st, 1865. 
" Wm. H. H. Stultz, died of wounds. May 6th, 1864. 
Deserted — 17. 



Corp. E. Diehl, July 14, 1864. 
PTt. J. D. Slider, Feb. 7, 1863. 

B. Masser, May 8, 1863. 
J. H. Walker, July 16, '63. 
M. AVhalon,*Feb. 28, 1865. 
T. Gainey,* '< " 

C. Wallace,* 
Wm. King,* " 
C. Meadows,* *♦ ♦' 



Pvt. Ed. Kane,* Feb. 28, 1865. 

" C. Morton,* '' ♦♦ 

" J. Molony,* ** " 

" C. Harris,* 

«' C. McCormick,* '* «' 

*< P. Murphy,* '* 

'* J. Armstrong,* *' *' 

'« M. C. Garner,* '« «« 



List of Members of Company C, ISSth Penna. Vols., 
as milstered out of service, June 23, 1865, at Wash- 
ington, D, 0. 



COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, 
let Lieut. Timothy Kane. 



SERGEANTS. 



Matthias T. Server, 
Charles R. Jones, 
Samuel B. Salsburg, 

Joseph R. Moyer, 
James R. Griffith, 
Henry H. Shainline, 
Jesse Slingluff, 



Sylvester Makens, 
Jason T. Butler. 



CORPORALS. 



George E. Lovrery, 
Chas. Pennypacker, 
Aaron R. Selah, 
Edmund H. Smith. 



*These men were recruits who never reported to the Begi- 
ment, and were consequently dropped as deserters, in accord- 
ance with proper authority. 



170 



MUSICIAN.- 
WAGONER.- 



-Edwin S. Sutch. 
-Ferdinand Seaman. 



PRIVATES. 



Anderson, David F. 
Bodey, Charles A. 
Cutler, Levi 
Coulson, y/illiam H. 
Cornog, Henry P. 
Craft, Charles 
Cornell, Samuel 
Cole, John 
Davis, Marpold 
Dean, Samuel H. 
Dotts, Jacob H. 
Dell, Charles 
Emery, Jacob 
Fullerton, William 
Fitzgerald, Jesse 0. 
Freese, Henry 
Fulmer, Henry 
Foreman, George W. 
Godshalk, Enos 
Garber, Charles 
Huston, John F. 
Ilanley, Joseph S. 



Jones, William H. 
Moore, William H. 
Markley, Winfield S. 
Markley, Abram 
Moyer, Jesse S. 
Makens, Chas. W. 
Mitchell, Amos 
Miller, James E. 
Noblit, Daniel M. 
Rhodenbaugh, Charles 
Sutch, Abram C. 
Sutch, Thomas B. 
Shinn, Richard N. 
Stiver, George 
Sill, Wilmer 
Smith, Currin F. 
Saylor, James C. 
Stewart, Thomas * 
Wagner, .Jesse 
Yost, Isaac C. 
Orner, .Jesse 11. 



List of the Officers and Enlisted 3Ien 2vJio, after the 
original organization and prior to the discharge of 
the compa7iy^ ceased to belong to it. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS— 4. 
Capt. Geo. W. Guss, discharged May 15, 1865. 
1st. Lieut. Wm. Neiman, discharged Aug. 22, 1863. 
2d Lieut. John A. Wills, " " 13, " 

1st. Lieut. Saml. W. Cloward, died of wounds Nov. 1, 1864. 

ENLISTED MEN.— i>/sf/mr^f(/— 15. 
1st Sergt. Henry S. Smith, Jan. [1st Sergt. C. H. Fitzgerald, Feb. 

14, 18G5. 14, 1805. 

let Sergt. Samuel Aikens. May Pvt. Geo. W. Foreman, Dec. 11, 

80, 1865. ' I 1863. 



171 



Pvt. C. Oxinger, Jan. 22, 1864. 
" A. Quarmby, x\pr. 10, 1865. 
" A. Spangler, Apr. 4, 1865. 
" G.W.Neiman, May 31,1865. 
" Wm. Wills, .June 12, 1865. 



Pvt. Daniel Dewecs, Oct. 7,1863. 

" I. Dickinson, Feb. 28, 1868. 
Pvt. B. Griffith, 0^. 24, 1863. 

" I. T.Johnson, Apr. 24,1863. 
Prt. .John Knause, May 15, 1865. 

" H. R. Lightcap, Feb.21,'63 

Transferred — 2. 

Pvt. Geo. W.Wilson, .Jan. 7, '65,jPvt. W. F. Sensenderfer, date 

I unknown. 

Died— 6. 
Pvt. Leidy Cook, died of disease, Dec. 7, 1862. 
" Isaac P. Freese, died of wounds July 27, 1864. 
*' Jesse A. Myers, died while a prisoner of war, Sept. 20,1864, 
*' Arnold Vanfossen, jr., died while a prisoner of v/ar ; dats 
unknown. 

Pvt. Joseph 11. Skean, died of wounds May 6, 1864. 

Missing in action — 4. 

Sergt. Benj. Uebele, Monocacy, Md., July 9, 1864. 
Pvt. Wm. Carson, " " " "■ 

'^ David L. Dotts, Cold Harbor, .June 1, 1864. 

" Wm. F. Jones, " " " 

Deserted — 4. 
Corp. M. Lightcap, Feb. 8, 1863. jPvt. Lewis F. Ott, Nov. 6, 1862. 
Pvt. J. M. Jones, Dec. 25, 1862. " Chas. A. Yost, Jan. 13, 1864. 



List of Memhers of Company i>, 138^7i Penna. Vols.y 
as mustered out of service June 23, 1865, at Wash- 
ington^ J). 0. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Capt, Oliver Ilorton, J 1st Lieut. Emanuel Fisher. 

SERGEANTS. 



William Foster, 
William W. Ferguson, 
William S. Sleek, 



John B. Hammer, 
Elias B. Stuckev. 



172 



CORPORALS. 



John E. O'Neal, 
George Gillam, 



Isaac Ling, 
Allen Kinton. 



MUSICIAN.— Solomon R. Thorpe. 
WAGONER.— Thomas Kurtz. 



PRIVATES. 



Beltz, John A. 
Reals, Geo. W. 
Burket, Isaac 
Burket, John 
Bivens, James W. 
Corl, William 
Hellman, George 
Harbaugh, Emanuel 
Hochard, John A. 
Ickes, George 
Kenard, John H. 
Ling, William H. 
Lowery, Emanuel 
Lease, Robt. H. 
Miller, Thomas 



McVicker, William 
Mock, Aaron 
Moore, James 
Nangle, James 
Nycum, Bernard 
O'Neal, Emanuel 
Risling, Joseph 
Stuckey, Wilson H. 
Sellers, Fred. A. 
Shroyer, Moses 
Summerville, John B. 
Steckman, Philip H. 
Snyder, David 
Witt, Jacob 
Yarnell, John 



List of the Officers and Enlisted Men ivho, after the 
original organization and j^rior to the discharge of 
the co77ipang, ceased to belong to it. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS— 3. 
Capt. John S. Stuckey, discharged Feb. 3, 1865. 
*lst. Lieut. Josiah Baughman, died Nov. 12, 1862. 
l«t Lieut. John A. Gump, died of wounds Oct. 20, 1864. 

ENLISTED UE:^.—Discharffed—U. 



Sergt. Henry McCleery, May 

12, 1865. 
Corp. Job M. Beazle, April 27, 

1863. 



Corp. H. Barkman, Jan. 12, '65. 
Corp. Josiah Huffman, May 15, 

1865. 
Pvt. N. H. Beals, May 20, 1865. 



* Killed by Henry Roland, a deserter, whom he was attempt- 
ing to arrest, near Cherneysville, Bedford Co., Pa., Nov. 12, 1862. 



173 



Pvt. John Mullin, March 5,18G4. 
" E. Mock, May 10, 1865. 
" Wm. Lucas, May 18, 18G5. 



Pvt. J. G. Leasure, Feb. 10, '65. 
" W. W. Ramsey, Aug. 1, '08. 
" M. P. Taylor, Aprill7,1864. 



Transferred — 3. 

Pvt. Fred. NeflF, Jan, 15, 1865. iPvt. John B. Kinsey, April 5, 
*' Jacob Thorpe, Jan. 17,1863.| 1863. 

Died—2\, 

1st Sergt. Simon C. Stuckey, died of wounds Nov. 27, 1863. 
*♦ Jonathan Snider, ** " Oct. 22, 1864. 

<* George Baughman, died while a prisoner of war 

Sept. 13, 1864. 

Corp. Wm. H. Lowery, died of disease April 15, 1864. 
" E. J. Hixon, died of wounds. May 6, 1864. 
" Jos. J. Price, " " " " 

Musician John W. Thorpe, died of disease, August 2, 1864. 
Pvt. Noah Allison, died of wounds June 5, 1864. 
** Joseph Allison, died of disease, Jan. 26, 1864. 



« «' March 30, " 

' wounds, Nov. 27, 1863. 
' disease, Nov. 14, 1862. 
' wounds Nov. 28, 1863. 
' disease, Oct. 6, 1864. 
died while prisoner of war. 



" John T. Dicken, 

<* Daniel Hellman, 

" George W. Ickes, 

" John E. Lowery, 

** John Layton, 

♦' Thomas J. Miller, 
13, 1864. 

Pvt. John Nycum, died of wounds June 28, 1864. 

'« Hezekiah O'Neal, died of wounds Dec. 4, 1863. 

«' James S. Radcliff, " disease, July 26, 1864. 

" Philip Wentz, " wounds, Nov. 27, 1863. 

" Jesse Yarnell, •* disease, July 22, 1864. 

" Chas. Summerville, " wounds. May 6, 1864. 

Deserted— 10. 



Sept. 



Corp. David Cook, Jan. 16, '63. 
Pvt. David Barkman, Feb. 9, '63. 

" Elisha Devers, Feb. 6, 1863. 

" Harvey Evans, Dec. 20, '62. 

" Nathl. Imes, Sept. 19, 1864. 



Pvt. Jackson Lape, Aug. 1, '64. 
" Nathl. Leasure, Oct. 22, '62. 
" John Oaks, Feb. 6, 1863. 
" Philip Porter, Feb. 9, 1863. 
" Henry Roland, Oct. 22, '62. 



174 



List of Members of Company E, 138//i Penna. Vols.^ 
as mustered out of service June 23, 1865, at Wash- 
ington, D. 0. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
Capt. Simon Dickerhoof, 2d Lieut. Reuben W. Cook. 

1st. Lieut. Thos. A. Prideaux, 



Francis M. Slack, 
Wm. T. Filler, 
Daniel Beard, 



SERGEANTS. 

Wm. Line, 
Geo. W. Gray. 



CORPORALS. 

Andrew Cobler, 
Samuel Ridenbaugh, 
John Claar. 



James E. Over, 

Abraham Carpenter, 

Samuel Barkley, 

George W. Barkley, 

MUSICIAN.— John A. Baughman 
WAGONER.— Lewis Mock. 



Ake, John G. 
Benner, John 
Beaver, Nicholas 
Baily, John W. 
Bailey, William 
Burket, David 
Burge, Joseph 
Crawford, James 
Couch, Harry 
Cook, John H. 
Claycomb, Conrad 
Carrell, Joseph 
Cobler, Allen 
Carl, Jacob 
Carl, Franklin 
Claar, Jacob C. 
Dull, Valentine 
Feight, Henry H. 
Fait, John 
Fleegle, George W. 
Gordon, Isaac 
Gardner, Chas. 



PRIVATES. 

Hoenstine, F. B. 
Imler, Ephraim Y. 
Imler, Geo. R. 
Kegg, Nathaniel 
Long, George 
Leonard, John D. 
Leonard, Henry N. 
Lemmon, William 
Meloy, Biven D, 
Mock, Malachi 
Price, Jacob 
Riffle, William 
Robinson, William J. 
Reighard, Matthias 
Richey, Jacob 
Richey, John 
Stevens, Ja«ob B. 
Stineman, William 
Stiffler, Nathaniel 
Saupp, James 
Speck, Heni-y 
Wise, Andrew H. 



175 



List of the Officers and Enlisted Men ivho, after the 
original organization, and prior to the discharge of 
the corivpany, ceased, to belong to it, 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
1st Lieut. John Getty, discharged April 13, 1804. 
ENLISTED U^^.—Discharged—'d. 

Prt. John Stiffler, July IG, 18G3. 

" Tobias Miller, May 4, 1864. 

" I. Nicodemus, May 3, 1865. 

'■'■ Simon M. Feather, May 

30, 1865. 



Corp. H. H. King, June 7, 1865. 
Pvt. Jacob Briegle, Dec. 19, '63. 

«' Adw. Biddle, April 22, '65. 

" Wm. H. Rea, Sept. 17, '63. 

" James Rollins, July 16, '63. 



Transferred — 7. 

Pvt. Danh J. Price, May 12, '64. 
" Saml. Schritchfield, April 
5, 1863. 
Pvt. Miles N. Smith, May 11, '65. 

Died— 11. 
Sergt. Wm. B. Amick, died of wounds May 6, 1864. 
Corp. William Ake, " " " " 

" Francis Steckman, " " June 5, " 

Pvt. Levi Blackburn, died of disease Nov. 19, 1862. 



Pvt. M. G. Bagley, Jan. 15, '65. 
" L. Defibaugh, Feb. 3, 1864. 
" Josiah Glenn, Jan. 12, '64. 
" J. A. Gilchrist, May 2, '64. 



'^ Jeseph Blackburn, 

*' Adam Beltz, 

*' Abraham Corl, 

<' David B. Craine, 

" George W. Feather 

<' Abraham Feight, 

«' Daniel G. Helzel, 

" Simon Helzel, 

" David Hoenstine, 

*' Daniel Imler, 

** AbrahaDi Price, 

" Wm. R. Smith, 
Samuel Ward 



" wounds Sept. 1, 1864. 
" " June 5, " 

May 10, " 
" " Oct. 19, " 

died of disease Oct. 25, 1862. 
" Nov. 13, » 
" " Nov. 1, " 

Nov. 9, " 
" " Nov. 4, «' 

Jan. 4, 1865. 
Oct. 19, 1862. 
Feb. 11, 1865. 
July 30, 1864. 



Corp 



ied while prisoner of war. 
Missing in Action — 5. 
Martin L. Comly, at Winchester, Va., Sept. 19th, 1864. 



Pvt. Samuel M. Clark, at Monocacy, Md., July 9th, 1864. 



176 



Pvt. Daniel Carrell, at Cold Harbor, Va., June Ist, 1864. 
" Wm. H. Defibaugh, at Wilderness, Va., May 6th 1864. 
" Joseph Lay, " " " " 

Deserted — 4. 

Pvt. J. Bailey, March 3, 1863. IPvt. Sierus Fickans, Nov. 9, '62. 
" Adam Crajle, Feb. 26, '68.1 " Wm. Helzel, June 13, 1863. 



List of Members of Company F, ISSth P. V., as 
mustered out of service, June 23c?, 1865, at Wash- 
ington, D. C. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
Capt. Martin S. Bortz, ] 1st Lieut. C. P. Calhoun. 

SERGEANTS. 
Levi Cook, i Harvey Shaffer, 



Joseph Barclay, 
Jesse Miller, 



Jeremiah Moser, 
Daniel Wolford, 
Marcus May, 
Joseph Cobler, 



Armstrong, Albert 
Baner, Franklin 
Earnest, William 
Feight, William 
Geller, George 
Holler, George W. 
Holler, John 
Kellerman, James 
Kelly, William 
Lowry, Oliver 
Miller, Abraham 



John W. Mauk. 



CORPORALS. 

Henry C. Ritchie, ^ 
Ephraim B. Miller, 
Marian Statler, 
Joseph Shroyer. 



PRIVATES. 



May, Hiram 
Owens, Chancey 
Robb, Samuel 
Smith, George 
Smith, Jacob 
Smith, John W. 
Shaffer, Tobias 
Shaffer, Thomas 
Smith, Simon 
Valentine, John 
Walford, Frederick 



177 



List of the Officers and Enlisted 3Ien who, after the 
original organization, and prior to the discharge of 
co7nj)a7ig, ceased to belong to it. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS— 2. 

Capt. John W. Feight, trausferred ; appointed Chaplain Feb. 
21st., 18G5. 

1st Lieut. C. P. McLaughlin, died of wounds, June 1st, 1864. 

ENLISTED MEN.— 2)«VcAar^«/—0. 

Pvt. Adam Smith, Oct. 1, 18G3. 
" C. G. Steuby, Mar. G, 'G5. 
" David Bush, May 15, 18G5. 
" D. M. Ball, May 2G, 18G5. 



Sergt. F. Mowry, May 2, 1864. 

" John Geller, April 6, '65. 
Corp. J. W. May, Oct. 25, 1864. 

" F. G. Ritchey, May 12, '65. 
Pvt. Lewis Elder, Feb. 26, '63. 



Transferred — 1 . 
Pvt. Linton W. Bingham, Jan. 28th, 1865. 

Died— 10. 
Sergt. Jacob Whip, died of wounds, Dec. od, 1863. 
" Jackson Miller, " " May 6th, 1864. 

Corp. Jno. B. Steckman, died of disease, Dec. 23d, 1862. 

" M. T. Foor, died while prisoner of war. Mar. 20th, '65, 
Pvt. David Smith, died of wounds, Oct. 20th, 1862. 

George W. Troutman, died of disease, Nov. 29th, 1862. 
Abbin Boor, " " Aug. 17th, 1863. 

Geerge W. Robb, " wounds, Nov. 27th, 1863. 

Wm. Waggerman, " disease, Dec. 8th, 1863. 

Henry Miller, " wounds. May 20th, 1864. 

3[ is sing in Action — 2. 
Corp. Shannon E. McCoy, at Cold Harbor, June 1st, 1864. 
Pvt. Henry Kelly, " " " " 

Deserted — 12. 

Pvt. F. H. Hayman, Nov. 6, '62. 



r 



Sergt. S. May, March 30, 1863 
Pvt. Sam. Hunt, Sept. 1, 1862. 
«' J.T.Hunt, 

" John Deal, Oct. 23, 1862 
** D. Kingsley, " " 

" J. Hickman, Sept. 27, 1862 
«« C. Harden, Feb. 7, 1863. 



" P. Reighard, Feb. 18, 1863 
" N. Tipton, March 18, 1863. 
" R. F. Henderson, June 29, 
1863. 
Pvt. J. R. Vickroy, Nov. 28, '63. 



178 



List of Members of Qomixiny (7, 138//i Pcima. Vols., 
as mustered out of service June 23, 1865, at Wash- 



ington, 1), C. 



Captain George W. MuUin. 
SERGEANTS. 



Nicholas G. Wilson, 
William Cline, 
Edward Detrick, 



William Reed, 
George Barchet, 
Amos B. Shank, 
Isaac E. Cook, 



[saiah B. !Meals, 



David Slaybaiigh, 
William A. Pitzer, 



CORPORxiLS. 



C. P. K. Walter, 
James A. McGrail, 
Henry C. Sadler, 
Jehn C. Shriver. 



MUSICIANS. 

I David Herman. 



WAGONER.— William Bolen. 



PRIVATES. 



Bender, Howard W. 
Brame, William IT. 
Black, Michael F. 
Bushey, Jacob 
Cook, Cyrus G. 
Conrad, Henry G. 
Corbet, Andrew 
Camp, Charles F. 
Ebert, Jesse 
Eppleman, E. G. 
Freet, Jonas 
Heller, Benj. F. 
Irwin, Geo. W. 
Johnson, Alfred D. 
Jacobs, Benjamin F. K. 
Kann, Howard W. 



Klepper, Theodore 
Kelly, Samuel 
Linah, Forrest 
McKonly, Isaac 
Meals, Amos 
Melhorn, William F. 
Overholtzer, Theodore 
Routzong, Geo. W. 
Starry, Amos 
Sadler, Wm. F. 
Sarbaugh, Wm. 
Scott, John G. 
Thomas, Amos R. 
Toot, John 
Weigle, Samuel M. 
Ziegler, Henry 



179 

List of the Officers and Enlisted Men ivho, after the 
original organization and prior to the discharge of 
the coynpany^ ceased to belong to it. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS— 2. 
Captain James H. Walter, discharged March 26, 1865, 
1st. Lieut. George W. Wilson, discharged August 29, 1864. 

ENLISTED MY.^.— Discharged— n. 



Pvt. Abm. Hummer, Feb. 8, '03. 
" J. Klepper, April 29, 1805. 
" H. D. Little, Feb. 23, 1864. 
" J. N. Walter, Feb. 21, '63. 
" E. Walhey, April 29, 1864. 



Pvt. E. C. Blocher, May 15, '65. 
J. C. Cleaver, May 26, '65. 
Isaiah B. Crist, Dec. 15, '64. 
C. B. Crist, Dec. 8, 1864. 
Danl. Hartzell, Oct. 6, '63. 
J. C. Ilankey, March 13, '64. 

Died— 20. 
Sergt. Luther Y. Hoffman, died of disease Nov. 12, 1802. 

<' Thomas F. Elden, died of wounds June 7, 1804. 
Corp. Amos Hoffman, " " July 17, " 

" David H. Chronister, <' *« May 14, *' 

" Amos F. Hoffman, died while nrisoner of war Dec 
13, 1864. 

Pvt. Edwin Brame, died of wounds, June 1, 1864. 

" Joseph Beck, •' <' Sept. 19, " 

" Jonas Eppleman, " " Nov. 27, 1863. 

" Martin Fehl, " " June 1, 1864. 

'' Elias N. Hartzell, " " April 6, 1865. 

" QuincyLinah, " " xMay 6, 1864. 

" Charles Loman, " disease July 6, 1863, 

" Alfred Livingston, died of wounds July 9, 1864. 

" John P. Slaybaugh, died of disease Dec, 6, 1862. 

** Charles Slagle, died of wounds Nov. 27, 1863. 

*' Cornelius Slaybaugh, died of wounds May 6, 1864, 

*' David Stoner, died of disease Nov. 9, 1862. 

<• .Jacob W, Schultz, died of disease Feb, 12, 1864. 

" James Warren, died of wounds May 6, 1864, 

" William J, Walker, died of disease, Nov. 10, 1862. 

Deserted — 6, 
Corp. G.A. Thoman,Julyl5,'03Pvt. Isaac Wank, Feb. 0, 1863 



Pvt. L. B. Ferree, July 10, '03. 
" Henry Linebaugh, *< 



George Warren, 
Fred. Warren, 



180 



List of Members of Gomixmy Hy 138//i P. T., as 
mustered out of service June 23^/, 1865, at Wash- 
ingtony D. C. 



Ist Lieut. AYilliam B. Lovett. 



SERGEANTS. 



Joseph Godshall, 
John Hayes, 
Joseph B. Heaton, 



Samuel Gee, 
William W. Rogers, 
Andrew Bethel, 
George W. Sigafoos, 



John H. Markley, 
Isaac White. 



CORPORALS. 

William P. Barber, 
John Rymond, 
Henry C. Skelton, 
John F. Lovett. 



MUSICIAN- 
WAGONER- 



-William Case, Jr. 
-George Doan. 



PRIVATES. 



Butler, Hugh 
Cooper, William 
Cope, Abraham 
Evernham, Aaron I. 
Hillborn, Samuel 
Hilbert, Henry 
Hibbs, Henry C. 
Hare, William B. 
Jordan, Josiah 
Pidcock, James 



Pettit, James 
Smith, Elias S. 
Smith, Francis 
Smith, Lewis R. 
Sigafoos, Frederick 
Sipherd, John 
Vausant, Thomas 
Vinson, James 
Yocum, Jonathan 



List of the Officers and Enlisted Men toho, after the 
original organization and prior to the discharge of 
the eomimnyy ceased to belong to it. 



COMMISSIONED OFFICERS— 2. 

Capt. Lazarus C. Andrews, died of wounds, Nov. 12th, 18C3. 
2d Lieut. John Sigafoos, discharged, May 28th, 18G4. 



181 



ENLISTED MEN. 
Sgt. A. G. Rapp, Ap'l 12, 1864. 
Corp. S. H. Brand, Feb. 27, '63. 
** W. W. Cadwallader, May 
12, 1865. 
Corp. J. D. Kindy, May 12, '65. 
Pvt. H. Bissey, Oct. 26, 1863. 
" M. H. Bennett, Dec. 18, '63. 
*' A. Cadwallader, March 20, 
1863. 
Pvt. Chas. Doan, Feb. 25, 1863. 

Transferred — 4. 
Corp. J. F. Frantz, Dec. 16, '64.|Pvt. S. Duckworth, Sept. 26, '63. 
Pvt. J. Butler, Jan. 1, 1865. | " C. Smith, April 19, 1864. 

Dicd—^. 
Corp. John H. Reilly, died of disease, Oct. 17th, 1862. 
Pvt, John H. Barren, died of wounds, Nov. 27th, 1863. 



—Discharged — 17. 

Pvf. H. H. Heaton, Feb. 26, '63. 

'' G. W. Lowery, Oct. 26, '63. 

«* T. S. Lewis, May 12, 1865. 

" J. McCammon, Dec. 17, '64. 

" S. C. Price, March 3, 1863. 

*' R. Scheetz, April 27, 1865. 

" S. Sigafoos, May 2, 1865. 

" J. Warford, May 12, 1865. 

" D. Strouse, June 6, 1865. 



C. B. Evernham, 
James R. Green, 
John K. Moyer, 
Paul Pursell, 
William H. Ruple, 



June 5th, 1864. 
Sept. 19th, 1864. 
May 30th, 1864. 
March 28th, 1868. 
June 1st, 1864. 



Abraham K. Wismer, died of disease, Sept. 30th, 1864. 

Missing in Action — 4. 

Pvt. Amos C. Beuley, at Wilderness^ Va., May 6th, 1864. 

" Chas. L. Heaton, " '* " ♦' 

" Jacob Nunemaker, '* " *' *' 

" Robert Rodgers, " ♦' '' " 



List of Members of Company I, 138^7i Penna. Vols.. 
as mustered out of service June 23, 1865, at Wash- 
ington, D. Q. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
Captain Wm. C. Ensley, | 1st Lieut. Osceola Lewis. 

SERGEANTS. 
George H. Reess, I Sylvester W. Snyder, 

George W. Shofl'ncr, John Shoffner, 

David D. Bath, I 



182 



CORPORALS. 



Joseph Scattergood, 
Trustrim Connell, 
Staats V. D. Wack, 
John W. Stoker, 



MUSICIAN.- 
WAGONER.- 



Matthias Tyson, 
Edward Sprogell, 
John Cook, 
Benjamin Althouse. 



-Samuel M. Lewis. 
-John Hallman. 



PRIV^ATES. 



Bennett, John S. 
Batman, John 
Bennett, Isaac 
Batman, Josiah 
Baker, Edward 
Barnick, William 
Dolbey, Edmund 
Bier, Paul 
Deemer, William 
Evans, William G.. 
Earle, Charles H. 
Fry, John G. 
Hendricks, William W. 
Hagey, Joseph D. 
Hurd, John 
Hay, James M. * 

Hughes, Harry R, 
Long, Eli 
Moore, Samuel P. 
Maurer, Charles 



Murry, Mahlon W. 
Pugh, William H. 
Parks, James 
Prinzing, Charles 
llenner, William 
Reinbold, Peter 
Shelmire, David F. 
Schoenian, Otto 
Smith, Seth C. 
Schodstadt, Augustus 
Seifert, John 
Smith, George W. 
Tyson, Jacob 
Trauger, Jonas 
Tucker, William E. 
Vansant, William H. 
Watson, William H. 
Wilkinson, S. M. 
Williams, Joseph L. 
Williams, Charles L. 



List of the Officers and Enlisted 3Ien wJio, after the 
original organization and pnor to the discharge of 
the coni'pany^ ceased to belong to it. 



COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Capt. Augustus G. Feather, dismissed Sept. 13, 18G4. 

" Jonathan T. Rorer, honorably discharged April 5, 180-5. 
2d Lieut. John H. Fisher, died of wounds May 6, 18G4. 



183 



ENLISTED UE^.—Diseharffcd—lO. 



Pvt. Thos. Altemus,Feb.l8,'6S. 
" W. W. Bennett, Jan. 28, '05. 
" Peter Frey, Feb. lH, 18G3. 
" Joseph Holt, August 10, 'G4. 
" H. Hinkle, May 1(3, 18(35. 



Pvt. John F. Hay, May 1(3, '65. 
" S. K. Renner, Feb. 18, '63. 
" B. F. Roberts, May 5, '65. 
" C. Rudolph, May 12, '65. 
" Joshua Wood, Feb. 18, '63. 



Trans/erred — 7. 



Sergt. J. W. Kennedy, Sept. 

lU, 18(32. 
Sergt. R. Hallowell, May IG, 'G5. 
Corp. G. W. Callahan, March 

1, 18G4. 



Musician Win. Earle, Oct. 30,'64 , 
Pvt. W. H. Heritage, Jan. 7, '65. 

" Osceola Lewis, Dec. 1, '64. 

" Reese Pugh, March 17, '01. 



Bied— 12. 

Corp. George H. Kelp, died of wounds May 17, 1864. 
^' Christian Kastler, '' " April 3, 1865. 

Pvt. Wm. Batman, " " May 0, 1864. 

William Epprigbt, " " July 20, 1804. 

Samuel R. Ireton, died while prisoner of war, Oct. 10, '64. 

Joseph T. Micheuer, died of wounds June 8, 1864. 

Joseph J. Roberts, " disease Nov. 5, 1862. 

Joseph Rohr, " " July 0, 1864. 

Christian Stagner, " " May 6, 1864. 

Henry Swartley, " " •' " 

Eli Thomas, died (cause unknown) Feb. 11, 1863. 

James Wilson, died of wounds Sept. 10, 1864. 



Missing in Aclion — 1. 



Nov. 



'63. 



Pvt. Reuben F. Crouthamel, at Locust Grove, V 
Deserted — 2. 
Pvt. R. C. Clymer, Oct. 22, '64.[Pvt. Jcr. Mitchell, June 3, '03 



184 



List of Members of Company K^ V?>Wi Fenna. Vols.j 
as mustered out of service June 23, 1865, at Wash- 
ington^ D. C, 



1st Lieut. Jonathan P. Iredell. 



SERGEANTS. 



Israel C. Wood, 
Jacob W. Trout, 
William II. Shively, 



Barclay Kenderdine, 
Charles W. Umstead, 
Benjarain F. Walton, 
John II. Smith, 



George R. Palmer, 
Lewis P. Yetler. 



CORPORALS. 



Charles R. Magee, 
Henry II. Umstead, 
John B. Undercoffler. 



MUSICIANS. 
John Lingle, | Levi P. Ilcffelfinger. 

WAGONER.— Josiah Emery. 



PRIVATES. 



Ashton, George V/. 
Allen, Pierson, 
Bright, Samuel E. 
Brey, Servatus S, 
Brown, George R. 
Blaker, John 
Biddle, William B. 
Cannon, James 
Cratz, John 
Butter, George W. 
Donahue, John 
Gebphart, Noah B. 
Hoffnagle, Conrad 
Kingkinfer, Silas 
Kelly, John D. 
Kulp, Henry 
Kelly, Michael 



Linker, Daniel 
Mostler, Charles 
McCabe, Dennis 
Murphy, John 
Neff, William 
Puff, Hiram M. 
Paulus, George K. 
Rhoads, Franklin 
Seigfried, Henry C. 
Sabold, Eli 

Undercoffler, James W. 
Undercoffler, Jonas 
Whalon, Thomas 
Wasser, Enos R. 
Weid, John 
Woodhust, John A. 
Ziegler, John C. 



185 



List of the Officers and Enlisted Men ivho, ctfter the 
original organization and prior to the discharge of 
the comimwj^ ceased to helony to it. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Capt. Kicliard T. Stewart, honorably discharged May 15, 1865. 
1st Lieut. Amos W. Bertolet, «' " Jan. 23, 1803. 

2d Lieut. Abraham H. Kline, dismissed August 17, 1863. 

ENLISTED ^lY,-^.— Discharged— ^. 



Corp. Elias Lewis, April 24, '64. 

" Chas. Wood, April 28, '64. 

" S. Ilallman, May 13, '05. 
Tvt. Jas. Berks, March 7, '64. 



Pvt. I. K. Shoemaker, Dec.22,'64. 
" C. T.Lukens, Aprill2, '65. 
" H. Nicholas, April 15, '65. 
" H. C. Moser, June 5, '65. 



Trani<ferred — 2. 
Pvt. Jns. G. Wells, Sept. 1, '02.IPvt. E. D. Ervin, March 7, '65. 

Died— 17. 

1st Sergt. Chas. B. Thompson, died of wounds May 6, 1864. 
" Stokes C. Bodder, " " April 6, 1865. 

Corp. William P. Iredell, died of sunstroke -July 16, 1863. 
" Solomon Sabold, " disease Feb. 20, 1864. 

'* John H. Ashenfelter, " wounds May 5, 1864. 
" Daniel Kulp, " " *' 6, <' 

Pvt. Amos Mullen, died of disease Oct. 25, 1862. 
<' David Kingkiner, '• '* April 22, 1853. 

" Patrick Monagan, died of wounds, March 13, 1864. 
" George H. Burke, " " May 6, 1864. 

" Benjamin Brayman, " *» " " 

<' John F. Miller, " *' " " 

" Rinehart P. March, " " "25, " 

" Peter L, Fluck, died of wounds August 6, 1864. 
" S. McCullough, died while prisoner of war Sept. 19, 1864. 
" Aaron Mattis, " " " Oct. 12, " 

" Sylvester Merrick, " " " " 13, <' 

Missing in Action — 2. 

Pvt. Edwin Steiner, at Wilderness, Va., May G, 1864. 
^* Jeremiah Lesher, at '* ** <' <«' 



186 



Deserted — 8. 
Corp. A. HoflFman, June 16, '63. Pvt. Wm. Trear, Feb. 11, 1863. 



Pvt. Joshua Emery, Dec. 9, '62. 
Owen Emei'y, " *' 

Jacob Huzzard, Feb. 6, '63 



E. N. Benner, Feb. 27, '63. 
Chas. O'Neil, July 4, 1863. 
B. McMahon, ♦' " 



CHAPTER XVI. 

MEMORANDA AND STATISTICS. 

List of Battles in which the Regiment ivas actually 
engaged. 

BRAI^DY STATIOISr. 
LOCUST GROVE. 
WILDERiSTESS. 
SPOTTSYLVAXIA. 
COLD HARBOR. 
MOIN^OCACY. 
OPEQUAN. 
FISHER'S HILL. 
CEDAR CREEK. 
PETERSBURG. 
SAILOR'S CREEK. 

List of Skirmishes. 
Wapping Heights, July 23, 1863, 
Kelly's Ford, Nov. 7, 1868. 



187 

TaloiDotomoy, May 31, 1864. 
Bermuda Hundred, June 17, 1864. 
Snicker's Gap, July 18, 1864. 
Cliarlestown, August 21, 1864. 
Smithfield, August 29, 1864. 
N"ew Market, Sept. 24, 1864. 

Summary of Casualties from date of organization to 
discharge. 

KILLED IN BATTLE. 

2 officers and 49 enlisted men. Total, 51. 

WOUNDED. 

18 officers and 321 enlisted men. Total, 339. 

MISSING. 

31 enlisted men. Total, 31. 

Total, killed, wounded and missing, 20 officers 
and 401 enlisted men. Aggregate, 421. 

MEMORANDA. 

;N"umber of prisoners captured by the enemy, 1 
officer and 47 enlisted men. Total, 48. 

lN"umLer killed and died of wounds during ser- 
vice, 7 officers and 87 men. Total, 94. 

Number died of disease, 54 enlisted men, 



188 
SUMMARY OF DISTAltTCES TRAVEKSED. 

TRANSPOPtTED BY RAILWAY. 

MILES. 

From Ilarrisburg, Pa., to Relay House, Md., - - - 100 

" Relay House to Harper's Ferry, - - - - 80 

" Washington, D. C, to Frederick, Md., - - - 80 

" Baltimore, Md., to Monocacy, Md., - - . 60 

" Baltimore to Washington, 40 

" Monocacy to Harper's Ferry, - - - - 25 

" AVinchester, Va., to Washington, - - - - 160 

" Danville to Richmond, 140 

" Washington to Harrisburg, 140 

Total, 825 

TRANSPORTED BY WATER. 

MILES. 

From Wilcox's Landing to City Point, Va., - - - 25 
" City Point to Baltimore, ----- 300 
" Washington to City Point, 300 



625 



DISTANCES MARCHED. 



MILES. 

From Harper's Ferry to Washington, - - - - 60 
" Frederick to Williamsport, and thence via Harper's 

Ferry to Culpeper C. H., Va., - - - - 300 

From Culpeper to Defences of Washington, - - - 60 

" Washington to Culpeper (diverse route), - - 75 

*' Brandy Station to Mine Run and return, - - 75 

" Brandy Station to Petersburg (average), - - 250 

" Monocacy to Baltimore, CO 

" Washington to Berryville and return, - . _ 140 

" Washington to Harper's Ferry, - - - - 75 

" Harper's Ferry to Frederick, . - . - 35 

'* Harper's Ferry to Strasburg and return, - - 130 

" Harper's Ferry to Berryville, - - - - 20 

" Berryville to Harrisonburg, 100 

Carried over, ,,.....,.- 1 380 



189 



Carried forward, 

From Harrisonburg to "Winchester, - - - 
" Cedar Creek to Martinsburg and return, 
" Petersburg to Appomattox C. 11., (average' 
" Appomattox to Burkesville, - - - 
<' Burkesville to Danville, . _ - 

** Richmond to Washington, - - . 



Transported by rail, . - - 

" " water, - - - 

Total (average) distances marched, 



825 
620- 



1Q75 

-1450 
1975 

3425 



Note.— This table of distances is not warranted to be pre- 
cisely correct, but if sifted will be found to be free from exag- 
geration, and at a moderate average calculation reliable. While 
it presents an idea of the extent of general movements, it ex- 
cludes unimportant and less extensive ones, the sum of which 
would be very considerable. 



\ 



iS 

SI 


Aggj'egate. 


cococoocOT-ib-aDiot-o co 


Men 

Officers . . . 


COOOTtGOrHQOiOOO-t^iCcr. t- 

! ^ 

t- CO CO tH (M Ot! CM tH tH (M tH 1 CO 

1 CM 


5 ^ 


Men 

Officers . . . 


i 

1 

;Tt^ CO O O O oi ^ t- O (M t- 00 
i CO Th CO rf T}^ CO CO CO CO CO t- 
1 CO 

CO tH T}H Tt^ 00 rH CM CM CM CO CO 1 -r}H 

1 CO 




Total 


CO O Ci CO T^ TtH CO CO CM CM O 

rH rH i—l 


"1 


o 
>-> 


Men 

Officers . . . 


O O 00 CJi CO CO CO CI G^l CO t- I 00 
T— 1 rH rH | 00 

S ^ IS 


W 

EH 

O 

iz; 

CO 

-«! 
^5 

M 

M 

o 


j 
Men 

Officers ...\ 

1 


OCGCrHUOtO^COt-CMO CO 
GOCiOOOOCiCOOOCOGOOO CM 

00 

COCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCCOOCO ICO 

1 CO 




1 

1 





191 



LIST OF PROMOTIONS OF OFFICERS 
MADE m THE YEAR I8G0. 

Lieut.-Col. Lewis A. May from Major, Feb. 12. 

Asst. Surgeon Thos. P. Tomlinson, appointed 
May 8tli. 

Chaplain John W. Fcight, appointed from 
Captain Company F, Feb. 21st. 

Comimny A. — 2d Lieut. Daniel A. ReiiF, from 
Sergeant, A.pril 3d. 

Comioamj ^.— 2d Lieut. David M. McKniglit, 
from 1st Sergeant, Jan. 5th. 

Comimny D. — Captain Oliver Horton, from 1st 
Lieutenant, Feb. 20th ; 1st Lieut. Emanuel Fish- 
er, from 1st Sergeant, Feb. 22d. 

Cojiipany F. — Captain Martin S. Bortz, from 1st 
Lieutenant, Feb 21st ; 1st Lieut. C. P. Calhoun, 
from 1st Sergeant, Feb. 21st. 

Company Cr. — Captain George W. Mullen, from 
1st Lieutenant, May 15tli ; 1st Lieut. George W. 
Mullen, from 2d Lieutenant, Feb. 20th. 

Comj)a7iy I. — Capt. William C. Ensley, from 1st 
Lieutenant, May 15th ; 1st Lieut. Osceola Lewis, 
from Sergeant Major, May 16th. 

Non-commissioned Staff. — Sergeant Major Reu- 
ben Ilallowell, from Sergeant Co. I, May 16th. 



192 



APPOINTMENTS OF MEPvIT. 

Colonel M. R. McClennan, to be Brigadier Gen- 
eral^ by brevet, for gallant and meritorious services, 
especially' at the battles of Petersburg and Sailor's 
Creek, April 2d and 6th, 1865. 

Captain Jonathan T. Rorer, to be Major by 
brevet^ for gallant and meritorious services as Staff 
Officer to Gen. J. W. Keifer, in the Shenandoah 
Valley Campaign, to date from October 19, 1864. 

Captain Simon Dickerhoof, to be Major'^ by bre- 
vet, for long, faithful and meritorious services, to 
date from April 2d, 1865. 

A medal of honor and a oO-daj's' furlough were 
awarded to Corporal Trustrim Connell, Co. I, bj 
the Secretary of War, for the capture of the bat- 
tle-flag of a rebel (Virginia) regiment, at Sailor's 
Creek, April 6th, 1865. 



LVppointment not received until after discharge. 



CHAPTER XYII. 

CONCLUSION. 

In previous chapters, as readily and volumi- 
nously as the facilities within the grasp of the 
writer would warrant, and without wilful devia- 
tion from the characteristics promised in intro- 
duction, has been given a history of the organi- 
zation, garrison services and field operations of a 
command, which we, whose names appear on its 
record, are proud to call '^ Our Eegiment." 

We do not claim to have di'splayed valor or 
endurance in excellence of our comrades of other 
organizations, or from other States or districts ; 
nor can we boast like some of having traversed 
all the territory of Rebeldom — of fighting more 
battles than we had stars on our banner — or of 
experiencing more casualties in number than we 
had names on our rolls ; but we do profess to 
have performed the duties assigned us during 
our period of service without bringing reproach 
upon our name or dishonor to our flag. 

Towards other troops we have no selfish pride 
and no jealousy, for we believe in the words of 

193 



194 



Lieut. General Grant, that ^' All have a proud 
record, and all sections can well congratulate 
themselves and each other for having* done their 
full share in restoring the supremacy of law over 
every foot of territory belonging to the United 
States." 

This, though an unhurnished and imperfect 
sketch — a mere summary — will shovv^ where the 
138th has been, and, to a certain degree, what it has 
experienced. Its pages show the names of all its 
members in their classification ; of those who were 
transferred from its ranks to other branches of ser- 
vice ; those who were discharged by reason of in- 
capacity for military duty ; those whose lives were 
sacrificed in battle or wasted by disease ; and those 
who "came marching home" uninjured to enjoy 
the blessings their heroism purchased — to all of 
which we point with no little emulation. 

And there is still another class of a few indi- 
viduals to be noticed — but not with the same re- 
spect — those officers and men who by unmanly 
deportment, cowardly misdemeanor and base de- 
sertion, disgraced their cause and forfeited their 
own reputation. They are committed for such 
treatment as their actions deserre. 

To close the account of the regiment's career 
will now require but few additional sentences. 



195 



On Friday, June 23, 1865, the 138th was mns- 
tcred out of the miUtarj service, and ceased to 
exist as an organization of the National armies. 
Our discharge was the immediate precedent of a 
separation from commanders and comrades whom 
we had learned to both respect and love ; and 
before abandoning these associations, joined by 
patriotism, bound by hardship, and rivetted by 
danger, alike conceived and mutually shared, our 
boys to their fellow-soldiers paid the compliments 
of a farewell greeting. On the night of the 24th 
the regiment paraded in illumination, and visited 
the camps of all the remaining troops of the 3d 
Division : officers represented the sentiments of 
the occasion by pertinent speeches, and men by 
expressive cheers. June 25th we marched to the 
City of Washington, and started by rail to Penn- 
sylvania. We left the Army of tlie Potomac 
with gladness, because we were going from the 
turmoil of War to the glorious enjoyment of Peace, 
and with the pride and satisfaction of an honora- 
ble membership in its ranks. In leaving our 
favorite corps, the "fighting Sixth," we did not 
forget to hold in high esteem its memory, and to 
preserve its boasted badge of distinction — ''the 
Grecian Cross." We went to our homes with the 
principle "honor to whom honor is due," and 



196 



with " good will towards men. ' ' We removed our- 
selves from military jurisdiction, but for our 
leaders, from Grant, ^' our great captain," 
Meade, '' tlie riglit man in the right place," Sheri- 
dan, the champion of raiders and the terror of his 
enemies, and Wright, the able successor of the 
lamented Sedgwick, to Ricketts and Keifer, our 
popular Division and Brigade commanders, we 
entertained the respect and admiration due the 
ability and sagacity which marked their course in 
conducting us in camp and field. 

The two last named general officers were es- 
pecially endeared to us by their intimate relations 
with their troops, and in honor of this fact they 
have been introduced in a manner deemed appro- 
priate as prominent features of interest in this 
work. 

As it was determined " to avoid indb'idual eulo- 
gies," many compliments and credits which might 
have been given to their actions, as well as to the 
actions of numbers of our own comrades, without 
flattery or falsity, are omitted. 

But every man who fought and marched under 
the leadership of these gallant men, cannot fail to 
remember their devotion to the cause as shown 
upon many a bloody field. Gen. Ricketts, our 
hero of Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Monocacy, 



197 



and the Valley, foi' his bright record, the courtes}- 
shown his soldiers on all occasions, and the kind 
farewell and teaifal ^'God speed" he gave our 
regiment on its departure from the Capital, has 
a place in every heart ; and Gen. J. Warren Kei- 
fer, who lead us with the zeal and ability of an 
excellent commander, at Brandy Station, Locust 
Grove, Opequan, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, 
and in our last battles, is by us remembered not 
only as a gallant soldier, but as a good friend. 

ELut now, to all military connexions we will bid 
a final adieu. 

We arrived at the State rendezvous at Harris- 
burg on the 26th of June, and on the 29th re- 
ceived final payments and discharge. 

On the following day the regiment was perma- 
nently dissolved. Companies A, C, I and K, pro- 
ceeded to ITorristown; Company H, to Doyles- 
town ; Companies B, and G, to Gettysburg, and 
Companies D, E, and F, to Bedford, where they 
were formally and hospitably welcomed by those 
who, during the hour of trial, were their friends 
and supporters. It is a glad truth to record that 
the men from the several counties parted in fel- 
lowship, went to their homes with mutual good 
feeling, and returned to pursuits of industry with 
equanimity and with, credit to themselves. As a 



198 



parting tribute it can be said with justice, that 
equal honor can *be claimed by all soldiers, of 
whatever grade or capacity, who are conscio::s of 
having performed their duty in good faith toward 
the country in whose defense they rallied. 

The merit of commanding sagacity belongs to 
the officer, the virtue of faithful execution to the 
soldier, and the care, provision and support of 
both these to the non-combatant. Each are ab- 
solutely necessary, and without either, nothing 
could be accomplished. 

If, however, there is due any class more con- 
sideration or special commendation, let it be given 
to the private soldier who paced the lonely picket 
walk on the outposts of exposure and danger, 
plied the spade in the trenches, and wielded the 
rifle on the battle-line. 

Let the dead be honored, the maimed kindly 
cared for, and the uninjured survivor respected. 

No character can have a prouder garb than that 
of faithful services rendered a glorious coun- 
try, and the name of the Union soldier who aided 
in the overthrow of the Great Rebellion, deserves 
to be cherished by a grateful people, in this and 
after generations. 

THE END. 



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